riTfz 


RANGES  S 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


M 


4 


STATE  X^Oa^AS-^  v„-i^ 


A   FIRST   READER 
FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


THE  MACMILLAN   COMPANY 

NEW  YORK    ■    BOSTON    -    CHICAGO 
ATLANTA  ■    SAN    FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  Limited 

LONDON    •    BOMBAY    •    CALCUTTA 

MELBOURNE 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO.  OF  CANADA,  Ltd. 

TORONTO 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/firstreaderforneOOmint 


A  FIR8T    READER 


FOR 


NEW  AMERICA?^  CITIZENS 


CONVERSATIONAL  AND  READING  LESSONS 


BY 

FRANCES   SANKSTONE   MINTZ 

AUTHOR   OF    "the   NKW  AMERICAN  CITIZEN  "    AND    "A    PRACTICAL,  SPELLER 
FOR   EVENING   SCHOOLS" 


THE   MACMILLAN   COMPANY 
1910 

All  rights  reserved 


Copyright,  1910, 
By  the  MACMILLAN  COMPANY. 


Set  up  and  electrotyped.     Published  October,  1910. 


NoriDoot)  ^rcss 

J.  8.  Cushins  Co.  —  Uerwick  &  Smith  Co. 

Norwood,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 


\J\  {^(^J^ 


MY   MOTHER 


INTRODUCTION 

The  purpose  of  this  book  is  to  teach  foreigners 
how  to  understand,  speak,  and  read  the  Enghsh 
language  in  as  short  a  time  as  possible.  The  book 
is  intended  to  be  used  as  a  preparatory  text  to  "  The 
New  American  Citizen." 

The  first  part  of  this  text  is  devoted  to  conversa- 
tional English, — how  to  ask  and  answer  simple  ques- 
tions that  are  used  in  school,  at  home,  and  at  work. 

In  observing  work  in  different  classes,  I  find  that 
pupils  have  been  taught  so  that  they  are  able  to  read, 
but  they  cannot  answer  a  simple  question  in  English. 
The  first  step  in  teaching  English  to  foreigners  is  to 
make  them  understand  and  answer  questions  that 
arise  in  school,  at  home,  and  at  work.  Therefore, 
the  aim  of  the  book  is  to  develop  conversational  power 
primarily,  reading  power  secondarily. 

With  this  end  in  view  the  first  half  of  this  book 
has  been  developed.  The  method  to  be  used  by  the 
teacher  is  the  Object  Method.  The  nouns  selected 
in  the  beginning  are  the  names  of  objects  which  the 
teacher  can  easily  bruig  to  the  attention  of  the  class, 


viii  INTRODUCTION 

such  as   man,   woman,   boy,    girl,-  book,    desk,    pen, 
pencil,  chalk,  eraser,  door,  window,  room,  etc. 

The  verbs  selected  are  those  which  can  be  demon- 
strated by  action,  such  as  sit,  stand,  walk,  run,  write, 
read,  etc.  The  best  results  are  obtained  by  constant 
repetition  and  review. 

Concert  work  in  the  beginning  gives  the  pupils 
confidence.  Both  concert  and  individual  worlv  should 
be  nsed. 

Great  care  should  be  taken  by  the  teacher  to  enun- 
ciate very  clearly  and  distinctly.  The  pupil  should 
be  taught  to  watch  the  motion  of  the  teacher's  lips. 

The  material  selected  in  the  first  lessons  is  such 
as  can  be  taught  objectively,  but  as  the  pupil  ad- 
vances and  masters  the  language  the  need  for  the 
objective  work  diminishes.  More  abstract  ideas  are 
then  introduced :  lessons  on  the  care  of  the  body, 
care  of  the  home,  foods,  and  clothes;  lessons  that 
will  accustom  a  foreigner  to  American  ways  and 
manners,  in  business  and  in  society. 

The  nse  of  the  mail  system,  and  our  legal  holidays 
have  their  place,  as  w^ell  as  necessary  lessons  in  civics, 
in  relation  to  family,  nation,  state,  and  city.  The 
ultimate  object  of  the  book  is  to  teach  good  citizen- 
ship. 

F.  S.  M. 


HINTS   TO    TEACHERS 

Method  of  Lesson  I 

The  teacher  points  to  a  man,  saying  "  man  "  with 
clear  enunciation. 

The  chiss  repeat  "  man." 

"  Man  "  is  then  written  on  the  hlackboard. 

The  teacher  reads  "  man."  The  chiss  repeat "  man," 
then  individuals  do  so. 

The  teacher  says,  "  He  is  a  man,"  pointing  to  a 
man.  The  class  repeat.  "He  is  a  man  "  is  then 
written  on  the  board  and  read  by  the  class.  Such 
sentences  as  "  I  am  a  man,"  "  I  am  not  a  man,"  "  She 
is  not  a  man,"  are  written  on  the  board  and  read  by 
teacher  and  pupils. 

The  word  "woman"  is  developed  in  like  manner. 
The  sentences  in  Lesson  I  should  be  written  on  a  side 
blackboard  previous  to  the  lesson.  The  lesson  should 
be  used  as  blackboard  reading  material,  the  class 
reading  the  entire  lesson  in  concert.  Then  the 
teacher  should  explain  how  the  different  parts  are 
taken  by  the  teacher  and  pupils. 


X  HINTS   TO  TEACHERS 

The  lesson  should  be  read  from  the  book  after 
it  has  been  read  from  the  board.  By  this  time  the 
class  will  know  the  sentences  almost  from  memory, 
as  they  have  had  much  repetition.  The  teacher 
should  now  ask  the  questions  without  the  aid  of 
blackboard  or  book,  and  the  pupils  should  answer. 

Lesson  II  is  developed  in  like  manner. 

Lesson  V  —  Verb  Lesson.  The  teacher  sits  on 
a  chair.  The  teacher  says,  ''  I  am  sitting."  She  then 
writes,  "  I  am  sitting,"  on  the  board.  The  teacher 
writes  and  reads,  then  the  pupils  read,  "You  are 
sitting,"  "She  is  sitting,"  "Am  I  sitting?"  "  Is  he 
sitting?"  etc. 

She  walks  to  her  seat  and  sits  down.  She  then 
arises  and  says,  "  I  am  standing."  This  sentence  is 
then  written  on  the  board,  the  teacher  reading  and 
the  pupils  repeating. 

^  Other  sentences,  such  as  "  He  is  standing,"  "  Are 
you  standing?"  "We  are  standing,"  are  written  on 
the  board  and  read  by  teacher  and  pupils. 

After  the  lesson  has  been  developed,  it  should  be 
read  as  a  reading  exercise,  the  same  as  Lesson  I.  All 
the  verb  lessons  should  be  developed  in  like  manner, 
by  action. 

Lesson  IX  should  be  developed  as  Lesson  I,  show- 


HINTS   TO   TEACHERS  xi 

ing  object,  class  repeating,  then  writing  name  on  the 
board ;  then  reading  of  the  sentences  from  black- 
board and  book.  Pupils  should  always  answer  ques- 
tions in  complete  sentences. 

It  is  advisable  for  the  teacher  to  read  the  teacher's 
part  in  the  first  lessons  to  perfect  the  accent  and 
pronunciation.  In  the  latter  lessons  any  pupil  can 
take  the  teacher's  part. 

PHONICS 
Drill  in  Consonants 
b        c       d       f       g      h      j       k      1 
m       u       p       q       r       s       t       V       w       y       z 

Write  a  consonant  on  the  board,  then  use  it  as  the 
initial  sound  of  a  simple  word,  as  h  (ban),  c  (cat). 
Use  all  the  consonants  in  like  manner. 

Development  of  Vowel  Sounds 
Place  "an"  on  the   blackboard.     Teacher  sounds 
with  class,  carefully  watching  facial  motion.     Class 
repeat.     Then  place  the  consonants  before,  as  r  an, 
b  an,  f  an,  etc. 

Pronouncing  carefully  and  class  repeating,  subse- 
quent lessons  may  be  treated  in  like  manner. 
Drills  should  be  done  from  the  board. 


Tpie  American  Republic  must  live.  Popular  com- 
motion and  partisan  fury  may  dash  their  mad  waves 
against  it ;  but  they  shall  roll  back  shattered,  spent. 
Persecution  shall  not  shake  it,  fanaticism  disturb  it 
not ;  sublime,  like  the  last  mountain  in  the  deluge, 
while  the  earth  rocks  at  its  feet,  and  the  thunders  peal 
above  its  head  —  majestic,  immutable,  magnificent. 

—  Wendell  Phillips. 


xii 


A   FIRST   READER 
FOR   NEW   AMERICAN    CITIZENS 


THE    FIRST   STEP 


A  FIRST  READER 

FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 
PART   I 


LESSON   I 
an  man 

<^See  Introduction  for  method.) 

Teacher:    He  IS  a  man. 
Pupil:    She  is  a  woman. 

Short  Vowel  Sound         S 

ran  tan  man  fan 

B  1 


wo-man 


pan 


A  FIRST   READER 


LESSON   II 

i  girl  oy 

Teacher:    This  is  a  girl. 
Pupil :    Tluit  is  a  boy. 
Teacher:    He  is  a  boy. 

Pupil:    She  is  a  girl. 

Teacher:    Is  she  a  girl? 

J'?/;^;/;  Yes,  she  is  a  girl. 
Teacher :  Are  you  a  boy  1 
Pupil:   No,  I  am  a  man. 

Teacher  :    Am  I  a  girl '? 

Piipil:   No,  yon  are  a  Avomaii. 

Teacher:    Are  you  a  girl? 

Pupil:    She  is  a  girl. 

Teacher:    This  is  iiot  a  girl. 

Pupil :   That  is  a  boy. 

Teacher :    Is  this  a  boy  ? 

Pupil:   Yes,  that  is  a  boy. 

Teacher:    This  is  a  boy  and  that  is  a  girl. 

Long  Vowel  Sound         a 

ate  mate  late 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  3 

LESSON  in 

REVIEW 

Teacher:    Are  yoii  a  womaii ? 
Pupil:   No,  I  am  a  iiiau. 
Teacher:    She  is  a  girl. 

Pwpil:   He  is  a  boy. 
Teacher:    I  am  iiot  a  man. 
Pupil:   I  am  a  man. 
Teacher:    She  is  iiot  a  man. 
Pupil:    She  is  a  woman. 

Teacher :     Is  he  a  girl  ? 

Pupil:   No,  he  is  a  boy. 

Teacher :     Is  slie  a  o-iii  ? 

Pupil:   Yes,  she  is  a  girl.     ' 
Teacher :    Are  YOU  a  man  ? 
Pupil:    Yes,  I  am  a  man. 
Teacher :    Is  that  a  girl  ? 
Pupil:    Yes,  that  is  a  girl. 
Teacher :    He  is  a  man. 
Pupil:    She  is  a  woman. 

Short  Vowel  Sound         e 

get  let  met  set 


A  FIRST  EEADEE, 


LESSON   IV 


Tell  the  use  of  eacli  of  the  followino-  thing's 


whip 


=1)  t 


hoe 


candlestick 


clock 


nail 


vase 


lamp 


ax 


box 


pan 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 

LESSON   V 

sit  stand 

Teacher:    The  bov  sits  Oil  the  chah\ 
Pupil:    The  girl  sits  on  tlie  chair. 
Teacher:    Are  von  sittino-  on  the  cliair'? 
Pupil:    Yes,  T  am  sitting  on  tlie  chair. 
Teacher:    The  Ijov  stands. 
Pupil:    I  can  stand. 

Teacher:     He  is  standing;. 

Pupil:    She  is  standing. 
Teacher :    Are  A'on  standino'  ? 
Pupil:    Yes,  I  am  standing. 
Teacher:    The  girl  stands. 
Pupil:    The  man  is  standing  there. 
Teacher:    I  can  stand  on  the  floor. 
Pupil:    Can  YOU  stand  on  the  floor? 
Pupil:    She  is  standing  here. 

(See  Introduction  for  method.) 
LoxG  Vowel  Souxd         e 

eat  seat  meat 


6  A   FIKST   READER 

LESSON   VI 
walk  Avalking 

Teacher:    I  can  walk. 

Pupil:    Can  you  walk  ? 
Teacher:    The  boj  can  walk. 
Pupil:   Yes,  he  can  walk. 
Teacher :    Are  you  walkino;  ? 
Pupil:   No,  I  am  not  walkmg. 

Teacher:    He  is  walkmg. 

Pupil:  She  is  walking. 
Teacher:  She  can  walk. 
Pupil:   He  can  walk. 

Teacher:    We  can  walk. 

Pupil:    They  can  walk. 

Teacher :    Are  they  walking  ? 

Pupil:   Yes,  they  are  walking. 

Teacher :    Is  the  man  walking  1 

Pupil:   Yes,  he  is  walking  to  the  door. 

Teacher :    Are  the  girls  walking  ? 

Pupil:    Yes,  they  are  walking  to  the  door. 

Short  Vowel  Sound        i 

will  mill  fill  hill  pill 


EOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 

LESSON   VII 
u  run 

Teacher:    I  can  run. 
Pupil:    He  can  run. 
Teacher :    Can  she  run  1 
Pupil:    He  is  running. 
Teacher:    Tliev  can  run. 
Pupil:    Can  you  run  fast] 
Teacher:    Yes,  I  can  run  fast.     ■ 
Pupil:    The  J  can  run  fast. 
Teacher:    She  can  ruu  last. 
Pupil :    Can  she  run  fast  ? 
Teacher:    Can  he  run  fast  ? 
Pupil:   We  can  run  fast. 
Teacher:    The  boY  Can  run. 
Pupil:    The  girl  can  run. 
Teacher :    Can  the  man  run  1 
Pupil:    Yes,  the  man  can  run. 
Teacher :    Can  the  woman  run  fast  ? 
Pujnl:   No,  she  can  not  run  fast. 

Long  Vowel  Souxd 

kite  mite  mpe 


A   FIRST   READER 


LESSON   VIII 
(w)rite  e 


lesson 


Tenclier  :     I  call  Write. 

Pufil:    The  man  can  write. 

Teacher:    I  am  writing  my  lesson. 

Pupil:    They  can  write  Avell. 

Teacher :    The  girl  call  write  her  lesson. 

Pupil:    We  can  write  well. 

Teacher:    Can  you  write  well? 

Pupil:   Xo,  T  can  not  write  well. 


horn 


Short  Vowel  Souxd 

morn 


torn 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


LESSON   IX 


read 


Teacher:    Can  vou  read? 
Pupil:    No,  I  can  not  read. 
Teacher:    She  Can  read. 
Pupil:    He  can  read. 
Teacher:    He  reads. 
Pupil:    They  read. 
Teacher :    Can  the  man  read  ? 
Pupil:    Yes,  the  man  can  read. 


rope 


LoxG  Vowel  Sound 

coat 


home 


10  A  FIRST  READER 

LESSON    X 
OBJECTS  IN  A  SCHOOLROOM 

desk  pencil  piano  table 

paper  door  floor  chair 

Teacher:    This  is  a  desk. 
Teacher:    That  is  the  door. 
Pupil:    I  can  see  a  piano. 
Teacher:    I  can  sce  the  table. 
Fiqrii :    I  can  Walk  on  the  floor. 
Teacher :    Can  YOU  read  your  lesson  ? 
Pupil:    Yes,  I  can  read  my  lesson. 

Teacher:     Wliat  is  tllis  '? 

Pupil:   That  is  a  penciL 

Teacher:    What  do  jou  do  Avitli  the  pencil? 

Pupil:    I  write  Avith  the  pencil. 

The  teacher  should  point  to  different  objects,  asking 
questions  about  these  objects. 

Pupils  should  answer  questions  in  complete  sentences. 
If  the  pupil  is  unable  to  answer  the  question,  the  teacher 
should  give  the  answer  and  the  j^upil  should  then  repeat  it. 

Shokt  Vowel  Sound         u 

rub  tub  cub 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  11 

LESSON   XI 
ee  see 

Teacher:    I  can  see. 

Pupil:    Can  yon  see  the  man] 

Teacher:    Yes,  I  caii  see  the  man. 

Piqnl:    Can  von  see  a  woman  ? 

Teacher:    I  can  iiot  see  a  woman. 

Teacher:    Can  he  sec  the  man? 

Pupil:    No,  he  can  not  see  the  man. 

Teacher:    Can  they  see  the  girl? 

Pupil:    Yes,  they  can  see  the  girl. 

Teacher:    Wc  Can  not  See  a  boy. 

Teacher:    Can  yon  sce  yonr  lesson "? 

Pupil:    Yes,  I  can  see  my  lesson  very  well. 

Teacher :    Can  yon  sce  me  ? 

Pupil:    No,  I  can  not  see  yon. 

Teacher:    Do  yon  see  this  book? 

Pupil:   Yes,  I  see  that  book. 

Teacher:    Can  yon  sce  this  pen '? 

Pupil:    Yes,  I  can  see  that  pen. 

The  teacher  explains  This  is  used  to  indicate  object  near. 
That  is  used  to  indicate  object  away. 


12  A  FIRST   READER 

LESSON   XII 
liear         heard  learn         learned 

PAST  ACTION 

Teacher:    I  heard  a  noise. 
Pupil:    I  heard  yon  speak. 
Teacher:    He  heard  the  o:irl  sing:. 
Pupil:    She  heard  the  man  talk. 
Teacher:    We  heard  the  bird  sing. 
Ptqnl:    I  learned  my  lesson  yesterday. 
Teacher:    He  learned  his  lesson  last  nio-lit. 
Pupil:    The  girl  learned  to  sing. 
Teacher:    The  man  heard  the  bird  sin^x. 
Pupil:    They  heard  the  bell  ring. 
Teacher:    She  heard  the  noise  in  the  room. 
Pupil:   He  heard  the  man  talking. 
Teacher:    They  learned  to  read  well. 
Pupil:    They  learned  to  speak  well. 
Teacher:    They  Can  read  and  speak  well. 
Pupil:    I  heard  the  girl  read. 

Long  Vowel  Sound         u 

tube  rule  mule 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


13 


LESSON   XIII 

REGULAR  VERBS 

I  help  my  mother. 

I  am  helping  my  mother. 

I  helped  my  mother. 

I  wash  my  face. 

I  am  washing  my  face. 

I  Avashed  my  face. 

I  comb  my  hair. 

I  am  combing  my  hair. 

Have  yoii  combed  your  hair  ? 

I  brush  my  hair. 

I  am  brushing  my  hair. 

Have  you  brushed  your  hair  ? 

I  clean  my  fingers. 

I  am  cleaning  my  fingers. 

Have  you  cleaned  your  fingers  ? 

I  file  my  nails. 

I  am  filing  my  nails. 

Have  you  filed  your  nails  ? 


Pupils  may  use 
these  words 
in  the  sarne 
manner. 

talk 

look 

dance 

laugh 

turn 

rul3 

wipe 

stop 

swallow 

study 

open 

breathe 

lift 

smell 

want 

push 

reach 

earn 

place 


14 


A  FIRST   READER 


LESSON    XIV 
IRREGULAR  VERBS 

I  tell  a  story.  The  l)ir(l  iiies  u})  in  the  ah\ 

T  am  telling  a  The  bird  is  flying  up  in  the 

story.  air. 

He  told  a  story.  The  bird  has  flown  away. 

I  brino;  a  book  to  you. 

I  am  bringing  a  book  to  you. 

I  brouo:lit  a  book  to  you. 


The  pupil  may 
lise  these  verbs 
in  like   manner. 


I  buy  a  paper. 

I  am  buying  a  paper. 

I  bought  a  paper. 

I  sleep  during  the  night. 
I  am  sleeping  now. 
I  slept  last  night. 

I  sing  a  song. 

I  am  singing  a  song. 

I  sang  a  song. 

I  tear  my  apron. 

I  am  tearing  my  apron. 

I  tore  my  apron. 


steal 

driye 

speak 

fall 

shake 

wear 

throw 

take 

go 

hear 

begin 

eat 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


15 


LESSON   XV 

shake 

shook 

shaking 

smell 

smelt 

smelling 

teach 

taught 

teaching 

feel 

felt 

feeling 

dig 

duo; 

dio'O'ino; 

catch 

caught 

catching 

Teacher :    I  am  shaking  the  rug. 
Pupil:    He  shook  the  rug. 
Teacher:    I  can  smcll  tlic  flowcr. 
Pupil:    She  smelt  the  rose. 
Teacher:    She  Can  tcacli  a  lesson. 
Pupil:    She  taught  a  lesson. 
Teacher :    I  will  feel  of  this  book. 
The  book  felt  hard. 


Pupil : 
Teacher 
Pupil : 
Teacher 


I  am  dio'jxinp;  a  hole. 
I  dug  a  hole. 
•    I  can  catch  a  ball. 


Pupil:   I  caught  some  fish  last  night. 

Drill  ix  Double  Coxsoxaxts 

pi  sp  fl  tr  pr  br  si 

plan       span     fiat      trap     prank    bran       slat 


16  A  FIRST   READER 


LESSON 

XVI 

Objects  in 

A  Schoolroom         Names  of 

Things  or  Nouns 

paper 

notebook 

blotter 

ruler 

ceiling 

basket 

eraser 

inkwell 

wall 

chalk 

ink 

blackboard 

CUl 

•tain 

book 

CONVERSATION 

Have  you  a  pencil  I 

Yes,  I  have  a  pencil  and  a  pen. 

Can  you  write  with  a  pen  ? 

I  will  try  to  write  with  a  pen. 

That  book  is  a  reader. 

I  will  read  my  lesson  from  this  reader. 

You  may  write  the  words  on  the  blackboard. 

Can  you  write  in  your  notebook '? 

You  can  put  the  blotter  on  the  desk. 

Have  you  a  ruler  and  an  eraser  ? 

The  ink  is  in  the  inkwell. 

Where  is  the  basket  1 

The  basket  is  under  the  desk. 

I  write  on  the  blackboard  with  chalk. 

The  curtain  is  on  the  window. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN    CITIZENS  17 

LESSON    XVII 
ADVERBS 

I  walk  slowly. 

I  walk  /V/.s'^. 

He  .speaks  kindly. 

She  works  carefidJij. 

The  bh'ds  smg-  sweetly. 

He  arises  early. 

He  ?^et^er  speaks  about  her. 

He  will  be  here  so(ni. 

He  is  going  (ncay. 

They  are  coming  here. 

I  will  speak  to  her  to-day. 

The  man  went  home  yesterday. 

You  may  place  the  book  there. 

He  conies  to  the  house  often. 

The  girl  Avorks  patiently. 

She  goes  bravely  to  her  death. 

She  speaks  very  softly  to  her  mother. 

I  have  too  much  water. 

The  girl  looks  at  me  very  sadly. 

(The  teacher  should  exphiin  the  use  of  the  adverbs.) 


18 


A   FIRST   READER 


LESSON    XVIII 
ENUNCIATION  EXERCISE 

(The  teacher  should  show  the  difference  between  the 
breath  sound  of  th  —  thank,  and  voice  sound  of  th  —  then.) 


with 

eleventh 

twentieth 

tliird 

twelfth 

thirtieth 

fourth 

thirteenth 

fortieth 

fifth 

fourteenth 

fiftieth 

sixth 

fifteenth 

sixtieth 

seventh 

sixteenth 

seventieth 

eighth 

seventeenth 

eightieth 

ninth 

eighteenth 

ninetieth 

tenth 

nineteenth 

hundredth 

tliink 

thing 

theater 

thorough 

thought 

thank 

thrice 

three 

tooth 

tliick 

through 

teeth 

this 

thus 

those 

that 

they 

these 

than 

them 

their 

thou 

thy 

thee 

FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  19 

LESSON   XIX 

ENUNCIATION   EXERCISE 

T  am  thinking  about  von. 
I  thought  about  my  lesson. 
The  man  walks  with  a  cane. 
This  is  the  fourth  page. 
He  is  the  fourth  in  the  line. 
I  thank  you  for  the  book. 
The  theater  is  very  near. 
One  cent  is  a  hundredth  part  of  a  dollar. 
Give  me  one  ninth  of  the  money. 
The  board  is  very  thick. 
I  will  bring  the  book  to  them. 
This  is  the  sixth  drink  of  water  I  have  had 
to-day. 

I  live  on  Fifth  ^Vvenue. 

He  is  going  to  the  third  seat. 

He  has  three  pencils. 

That  is  a  })retty  curtain. 

I  thought  I  would  go  home. 

My  teeth  are  white. 

This  is  the  twelfth  day. 


20  A    FIRST   READER 

LESSON    XX 
Thino-s  a  man  wears  : 


sliirt 

socks 

sleeve 

collar 

shoes 

l)uttons 

suit 

overcoat 

overshoes 

vest 

raincoat 

scarfpin 

trousers 

underwear 

helt 

tie 

gloves 

hat 

garters 

mittens 

cap 

watcli 

cliaiii 

handkerchief 

These  words  should  be  placed  on  the  bhickboiird  in 
sentences.  The  })upils  may  give  the  sentence.  The 
teacher  writes  it.     The  pupil  reads  it. 

After  this  is  done,  questions  and  answers  may  be  asked 
and  answered  by  pupils,  such  as  : 

Have  you  a  suit  of  clothes  ? 

Is  it  a  new  suit? 

I  have  not  a  new  suit. 

Will  you  take  your  raincoat  ? 

No,  I  do  not  think  it  will  rain. 

I  will  wear  my  overcoat. 

L()X(r  a  Willi   Double  Consonants 

play  pi'^y  tra)'  bray  slate 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  21 

LESSON   XXI 

Tliinsrs  a  woman  wears : 

dress  wrap  belt  l)oa 

waist  apron  hat  l)louse 

skirt  veil  collar  o-loves 

stocldno-s  slioes  sash  bracelet 

bonnet  rnl)l)ers  jacket  slippers 

shawl  liat  nuiti'  nnderwear 

Do  YOU  wear  a  white  dress  I 

Have  YOU  a  waist  I 

Is  Your  skirt  l)lack  I 

The  stockings  "are  brown. 

The  old  lady  wears  a  l)onnet. 

Have  you  rubbers  on  I 

Do  you  wear  an  a})ron  ? 

What  color  is  the  shawl '? 

The  shawl  is  red. 

Have  you  a  veil  I 

I  wear  a  ^'eil  over  my  face. 

My  hat  is  very  large. 

I  have  a  fur  muff. 

Have  you  a  jacket  ? 


22 


A   FIRST   READER 


LESSON   XXII 

Finisli  tlie  sentences.     Use  these  words  : 

horse  seat  harness 

cart  whip  mane 

wheel  driver  tail 


carriag-e 

bridle 

stable 


.^i^^^ 


Do  you  see  the  man  driving*  the 
Is  tliat  a  cart  ?     Yes,  that  is  a  — 

No,  that  is  not  a . 

The  driver  sits  on  the  front 


Where  is  the  harness  i     The 
on  the  horse. 


is  there 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  23 

Has  the  horse  a  tail?     Yes,  the  horse  has 


Do  you  see  the  bridle?     Yes,  the  —  is 

on  the  horse. 

Did  the  liorse  come  from  the  stable  1  Yes, 
the  horse  came  from  the . 

Does  the  man  use  the  whip  on  the  horse? 
Yes,  he  uses  the. on  the  horse. 

The  man  is  a  o-ood . 

The  wheels  on  tlie are  lame. 


ing         1'kep'ix  Initial  Suuxds 

king'  ring  Aving  sing 

bring  swing         fling  sling 


LESSON   XXIII 

The  davs  of  the  week  alwavs  beoin  with 
capital  letters. 

Sunday     —  Sun.  Wednesday —  Wed. 

Monday    —  Mon.  Thursday      —  Thurs. 

Tuesday  —  Tues.  Friday  —  Fri. 

Saturday  —  Sat. 


24  A   FIRST  READER 

I  go  to  cliurcli  on  Sunday  morning. 
Monday  is  the  iirst  day  of  the  week. 
To-dav  T  will  beoin  my  lesson. 
To-moiTow  I  will  finish  my  lessom 
Yesterday  I  did  not  ^^•ork. 
Are  you  going  awa}'  to-day  1 
No,   I  am  going  to-morrow. 
I  saw  the  lady  yesterday. 
We  go  to  school  four  nights. 

Fill  in  the  sentences : 

To-day  is  Tuesday,  to-morrow  Avdll  be  — 


To-morrow     will     be    Wednesday,     to-day 


IS 


The  day  before  yesterday  was  Sunday,  the 

day  after  to-morrow  will  be . 

( hi we  go  to  church. 

is  a  holiday. 

We  will  work  on  . 


The  day  after  Thursday  is 


The  teacher  should  send  the  pupils  to  the  blackboard, 
asking  each  to  write  a  name  of  a  day. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  25 

LESSON   XXIV 

CONVERSATION 

Complete  these  sentences  : 

Teaelier :    AAliat  is  your  name? 

Pupil:    ^Jy  name  is . 

Teacher :    Where  d()   von  o'O  to   school  ? 

Pupil:     I    o'O    to school. 

Teaelier:     How    ohl    are    YOU? 

Pupil:    I  am  years  old. 

Teaelwr :    In  what  chiss  are  you  '? 

Pupil:    I  am   in  the  class. 

Teacher:    AVhcre  (lo  you  live? 

Pupil :    1  live  on  street. 

Teacher :    Where  do  you  wetrk  I 

Pupil:    I  work  in   the  factory. 

Teacher:    \)o  you  have  long'  hours? 

Pupil:    Yes,   I  work  from  nntil  . 

Teacher:    Do  you  like  your  work  I 
Pupil:    Yes,   very  much. 
Teacher:    Can    vou    come    to    scliool    every 
evening  ? 

Pupil:    Yes,  I  think  I  can  do  so. 


20  A   FIRST    READER 

Teacher:  You  AviU  (lo  better  work  by  com- 
ing every  night. 

ring  ing  sing  ing  swing  ing 

fling  ing  string  ing  spring  ing 

LESSON   XXV 

EXPRESSIONS  USED  IN  A  SCHOOLROOM 

(The  teacher  shoiihl  exphiin  the  lueaning.) 

Write  your  lesson. 

John  may  read. 

Please  erase  the  marks  on  the  blackboard. 

Have  you  an  eraser  ? 

Please  raise  the  window. 

You  \\Vc\\  lower  the  curtain. 

Your  i)eii  and  pencil  are  on  the  desk. 

Take  the  paper  from  tlie  table. 

Thank  you  very  nuich  lor  u'iviua'  me  tlie 
book. 

Pardon  me,  I  did  not  hear  the  number  of 
the  page  in  the  book. 

Y^ou  may  study  your  lesson. 

The  lesson  is  on  page  35, 


FOR   NEW  AMERICAK   CITIZENS  27 

The  teacher  will  teach  you  your  lesson. 
You  will  learn  the  lesson. 
The   pupils  will   learn   the   words  in   their 
book. 

Please  stand  when  you  read. 

Have  you  a  book  I 

Please  walk  to  the  desk. 

You  may  all  go  to  the  blackboard. 

LESSON   XXVI 

SIGNS 

The  teacher  shouhl  exphiin  these  words  very  care- 
fully. Then  ask  pupils  to  use  them.  Give  constant 
drill : 

Question:  If  I  wanted  to  get  a  meal,  for  wliat  sign 
should  I  look  ? 

Anstver:    You  should  look  for  the  sign,  "  Restaurant." 

The  teacher  may  ask  similar  questions.  Pupils  an- 
swer. Every  answer  should  be  made  in  a  complete  sen- 
tence. 

Garag-e  Hardware 

Cigars  Meats  and  Pro\dsions 

Horseshoeing  Dressmaking 

Clothing  Hotel 

Furniture  Cafe 


A    FIKST   READER 


Dry  Goods 

Tailor 

Bootblack 

Groceries 

Laundry 

Dry  Cleaning 

Fruits  and  Vegetables 

Danger 

Eailroad  Crossing: 

No  admittance 

No  trespassing 

Smoking  Car 

Keep  off  the  grass 

Waiting  room 

Private 


Restaurant 

Table  Board 

Furnished  Rooms 

Boots  and  Shoes 

Dentist 

Uptown  Trains 

Downtown  Trains 

Please  do  not  handle 

Paint 

Office  Hours  8-11  A.M. 

1-3  P.M. 
Be  careful  of  the  step 

Street 

Pennsylvania  R.  R. 


Ticket  office 
Information 
This  way  out 
Other  Door 
Push 


LESSON   XXVII 

SIGNS   {Continued) 

Local 

Walk  your  Horses 
Do    not    mutilate   any 
signs    or    maps     in 
the  Subwav. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  29 

Fire  extiiiguislK'r  l*liarinacist 

Do    not    toucli    unless  Pharmacy 

in  case  of  fire  Oculist 

Break  the  glass  in  case  Veterinary 

of  fire  Entrance 

No  Smoking  Exit 

Express  Post  no  Bills 

LESSON  XXVIII 

SIGNS   (Cnntiuued) 

Pay  as  you  enter. 

Do  not  spit  on  the  floor. 

Five  dollars  fine. 

Enter  at  tlie  rear. 

Ask  for  transfer  when  you  enter  the  car. 

Wait  until  the  car  sto})S. 

Check  your  Suit-cases,  Umbrellas,  and  Parcels. 

Keep  to  the  Ivight. 

No  Dop's  Allowed. 

Buy  tickets  at  the  office. 

Have  your  ticket  ready. 

Do  not  leave  your  seats  until  train  stops. 


30  A    FIRST    READER 

LESSON   XXIX 

SIGNS   ( Concluded) 

There  was  a  sig'ii  in  the  window. 

It  read,  James  A.  Sniitli,  ^I.  I). 

Office  Hours  10-11  A.  M.,  1-3  P.  M. 

Dr.  Smith  hves  there.  He  is  in  his  office 
between  the  hours  of  ten  and  eleven  in  the 
mornino^. 

During-  tlie  afternoon  he  is  in  between  the 
hours  of  one  and  three  o'clock. 

You  may  call  at  his  office  then  if  you  A\dsh 
to  see  him  on  business. 

When  we  see  the  sign,  ''  Department  Store," 
we  know  we  can  oret  many  different  thinp;s  in 
this  store. 

When  we  go  in  the  City  Hall,  we  can  tell 
where  the  City  Attorney,  District  Attorney, 
Board  of  Education,  Law  Department,  etc., 
are  bv  looking  at  the  simis  over  the  doors  of 
the  different  rooms. 

Where  is  the  tire  escape  ? 

How  do  we  use  the  fire  extinmiisher  % 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN    CITIZENS  31 

LESSON   XXX 

CONVERSATION 

Teacher:  Good  eveinii<j!; ;  how  are  you  this 
even  in  (5-  ? 

Fujnl:    I  am  very  well,  thank  you. 

Teacher:    Did  you  do  a  g'ood  day's  work  I 

Pupil:  Yes,  I  worked  from  seven  o'clock 
this  mornino-  until  six  o'clock  to-nio-hf. 

Teacher:  I  am  glad  to  See  you  here  this 
evenino-. 

Pupil:  V\e  like  to  come  to  school  to  learn 
the  English  lanu-uap-e. 

Teacher:    Have  vou  a  Look  ? 

Pupil:    I  have  a  book  on  my  desk. 

Teacher :    Can  VOU  read  any  En<>'lish  ? 

Pupil:  I  can  not  read,  but  I  can  understand 
a  little  Enolish. 

Teacher:  If  you  CO  me  every  night,  you  will 
soon  learn. 

Pupil:  1  will  try  to  come  when  I  do  not 
work. 

Teacher:    Have  you  a  sister  at  home  ? 


32  A   FIRST   READER 


Pupil:  My  sister  is  at  home  during  the 
evening. 

Teacher:  You  may  bring  your  sister  to 
school. 

Pupil:  I  hke  to  study  hard.  I  want  to 
learn  the  English  lana-uag^e. 


LESSON   XXXI 

CONVERSATION 

Tell  the  use  of  each  of  the  followino-  thino-s  : 

box  knife  spade  locket 

barrel  rope  ring  watch 

scissors  lamp  rake  hoe 

pocket-book  chain 

(The  teacher  may  place  the  word  hox  on  the  board. 
Each  pupil  tells  something  about  a  box,  such  as  —  I  have 
a  red  box  —  I  have  a  long  box.  Have  you  a  box  at  home  ? 
AVhat  have  you  in  the  box  ?  I  have  a  box  of  candy.  I 
have  a  box  of  sugar.  When  the  pupil  gives  the  sentence, 
the  teacher  should  write  it  upon  the  board.  Another 
pupil  then  reads  it.  Each  word  is  developed  in  a  similar 
manner.) 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  33 

LESSON   XXXII 

REVIEW  OF  VERBS 

Teacher:    Ls  lie  Lriiio-ino;  a  cliair  to  me'? 

Pupil:    Yes,  he  is  bringing  a  eliair  to  you. 

Teacher:    Have  I  taken  the  chair  from  him '? 

Pupil:  Yes,  von  have  taken  the  chair  from 
him. 

Teacher:    What  have  I  done  with  tlie  chair? 

Pupil:  You  have  placed  the  chair  on  the 
floor  near  the  desk. 

Teacher:    Did  YOU  LuY  the  paper'? 

Pujyil:  Yes,  I  bought  the  paper  from  the 
man. 

Teacher:  What  are  you  doing  with  the 
paper '? 

Pupil:    I  am  writing  on  the  paper. 

Teacher:  Did  you  take  a  book  from  the 
desk  ? 

Pupil:    Yes,  I  took  a  book  from  the  desk. 

Teacher:    What  are  you  doing  with  the  book  '? 

Pupil:  I  am  reading  my  lesson  from  the 
book. 


34 


A  FIRST  READER 


-rr- 


LESSON   XXXIII 

MORNING  AND  NIGHT 

When  the  sun  rises  in  the  morning-,  we  say 
it  is  daybreak.  The  sun  rises  in  the  east. 
People  that  live  on  a  farm  can  tell  when  it  is 
daybreak  by  the  cock's  crow.  From  this 
time  until  twelve  o'clock  if  you  meet  a  per- 
son, you  would  address  him  thus,  ''  Good 
morning." 

At  twelve  o'clock  the  sun  is  over  our  heads. 
This  is  the  warmest  part  of  the  day.  It  is 
called  noon.  We  say  the  sun  is  at  the 
meridian. 

We  speak  of  the  morning  as  the  forenoon. 
That  part  of  the  day  from  noon  until  sunset 
we  call  the  afternoon.  We  say,  "  Good  after- 
noon.    How  are  you  %  " 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


35 


As  the  "  night  is  beginning-  to  lower "  we 
call  it  twilight.  During  the  winter  months 
twilight  occurs  at  about  five  o'clock.  But  in 
the  summer  time  it  is  twilight  at  aljout  seven 
o'clock. 

After  it  is  dark,  we  call  it  night.  The  first 
part  of  the  night  we  call  evening.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  night  we  say :  ''  Good  even- 
ing.    How  are  you  this  evening  ? " 


Cocks  crow  in  the  morn 
To  tell  us  to  rise, 
And  he  who  lies  late 
Will  never  be  wise. 
For  early  to  l)ed 
And  early  to  rise 
Is  the  way  to  be  healthy, 
And  wealthv,  and  wise. 


36 


A   FIRST  READER 


LESSON   XXXIV 

beans 

crackers 

sack 

order 

bluing 

coffee 

cakes 

sugar 

soap 

starch 

tea 

cookies 

grocery 

bottles 

can 

peas 

tomatoes 

(Conversational  Lesson) 
AT  THE  GROCER'S 

Mrs.  R.    Good  morning,  Mr.  Jones. 

Mr.  J.  Good  morning,  jMrs.  Eollins.  What 
can  I  do  for  you  to-day  ? 

Mrs.  R.    Will  you  take  my  grocery  order  ? 

3Ir.  J.    Most  certainly,  madam. 

Mrs.  R.  You  may  please  send  me  six  cakes 
of  soap  and  three  bottles  of  bluing.  Have 
you  any  small  cans  of  peas  and  tomatoes? 

3Ir.  J.  Yes,  Mrs.  Eollins,  and  I  have  some 
nice  string  beans. 

Mrs.  R.  I  will  take  two  cans  of  peas  and 
one  can  of  tomatoes,  also  one  quart  of  beans; 
I  should  also  like  one  pound  of  coffee  and  one 
pound  of  tea.  Have  you  any  fresh  crackers 
and  cakes  1 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAX   CITIZENS  37 

Mr.  J.  I  have  some  fresh  crackers  and 
cookies,   but   we   do   not  keep   cake. 

Mrs.  R.  You  may  also  send  a  pound  of 
cheese.     Do  not  forget  ^yq  pounds  of  sugar. 

Mr.  J.    Anything  else,  madam  I 


3Irs.  R.  No,  Mr.  Jones,  that  will  be  all. 
Please  send  the  things  at  once. 

3Ir.  J.  Certainly,  Mrs.  Rollins,  you  will 
have  them  this  mornino-. 

3Irs.  R.  Thank  you  very  much,  Mi\  Jones. 
Good  mornino^. 

ilir.  J.    Good  morning,  Mrs.  Rollins. 


38 


A   FIRST   READER 


LESSON   XXXV 

AT  THE  MEAT  MARKET 


"  Good  afternoon,  ]\Irs.  Wilkins,  what  can 
I  do  for  you  to-day  'I  " 

"  Yon  may  fill  a  large  order  for  me,  IMr. 
Lewis.  I  do  not  usually  care  for  meat  three 
tmies  a  dav,  but  to-morrow  I  am  p-oino;  to 
have  company.  You  may  send  me  three 
pounds  of  hunh  chops.  They  will  do  very 
nicely  for  l)reakflist." 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  39 

"  How  aljoiit  a  nice  sirloin  steak  ?  " 

"  Not  to-day,  thank  you,  ]\Ir.  Lewis.  What 
have  YOU  in  roasts  ?  " 

"  I  can  cut  YOU  a  pot  roast,  crown  roast,  or 
rib  roast." 

"  You  may  send  nie  a  fiYe-pound  rib  roast. 


You  may  also  send  me  a  seven-pound  leg  of 
lamb.  Then  I  shall  have  enough  meat  for 
both  dinner  and  supper." 

*'  We  shall  have  some  fresh  poultry  in  to- 
morrow.    Shall  I  save  some  for  you"? " 

''  What  kind  will  you  have  1 " 


40  A  FIRST  EEADER 

"  We  shall  have  clucks,  chickens,  turkeys, 
and  geese." 

"  I  will  call  again  to-morrow,  ]\lr.  Lewis. 
Good  afternoon." 

"  Good  afternoon." 

(To  the  teacher:  Give  some  hints  about  the  advisability 
of  purchasing  fresh  meat  and  fish.) 

LESSON   XXXVI 

FISH 

Fish  is  very  edible  when  fresh. 

Fish,  like  meat,  that  is  not  fresh  is  injurious 
to  the  health. 

Great  care  should  be  used  in  the  purchasing 
of  both  meat  and  fish. 

Some  of  the  shellfish  that  we  have  are 
oysters,  clams,  mussels,  shrimps,  crabs,  and 
lobsters. 

There  is  a  great  variety  of  fish.  We  have 
the  bluefish,  whitefish,  weakfish,  and  black- 
fish.  Then  there  are  smelts,  herring,  pike, 
shad,  pickerel,  salmon,  and  eels,  flounders, 
fluke,  halibut,  and  codfish. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  41 

LESSON   XXXVII 


father 

neo^ro 

nephew 

mother 

neo^ress 

cook 

son 

grandfatlier 

husband 

sister 

grandmother 

coachman 

aunt 

consm 

stable 

brother 

niece 

MY  HOME 

This  is  my  father  and  my  mother.  Father 
is  reading  to  us.  ^lother  calls  me  her  little 
son.  My  grandfather  and  grandmother  are 
coming  to  our  house  to  visit.  Mother  lias  a 
sister  Jane,  who  is  coming  to  see  us  on  Friday. 
She  is  my  aunt,  and  she  has  a  little  boy,  just 
as  laro'e  as  I  am.  He  is  my  cousin  John.  I 
haye  no  sisters  nor  brothers.  I  am  the  only 
nephew  that  my  Aunt  Jane  has.  My  Aunt 
Jane  will  bring  her  little  niece  j\Iary,  to  see  us. 

We  have  a  cook  called  Liza.  She  is  a 
negress,  and  her  husband  is  a  negro.  Our 
servant  girl  helps  the  cook  to  wash  the  dishes. 

We  have  a  coachman,  who  drives  our  horses. 


42 


A   FIRST   READER 


LESSON   XXXVIII 
TAKING  A  TRIP 

"  Are  you  going  away,  John  I  " 
"  Yes,  mother,  I  am  going  to  take  the  train 
for  Chicago  to-night." 


"  Have  you  everything  in  your  vahse  that 
you  will  need,  John  1 " 

"  Yes,  thank  you.  I  have  a  nightshirt,  a 
comb,  and  a  hairbrush ;  also  my  toothbrush 
and  a  set  of  underwear.  I  have  the  rest  of 
my  clothes  in  my  trunk." 

"  What  are  you  taking  along  1 " 

"I  have  my  blue  serge  suit,  also  my  brown 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


43 


cl^eviot  suit.  I  have  my  frock  coat  and  light 
trousers ;  those  I  will  use  on  Sunday.  My 
black  tuxedo  suit  will  do  for  the  evening 
Avhen  I  o'o  to  the  affairs  o-iven  for  men.  I 
am  also  taking  my  full-dress  suit,  as  I  expect 
to  go  to  a  ball." 


A   MODERN    DINING   CAR 


"  Here  are  your  rubbers  and  umbrella, 
John.     Do  not  forget  them." 

"  How  thouo-htful  vou  are,  mother.  I  cer- 
tainly  will  take  them  along.  I  have  taken  a 
sleeper,  so  that  I  can  rest  during  the  night. 
I  am  takino-  the  eio^hteen-hour  train  to  Chi- 
cao-0.  It  is  verv  beautifullv  httod  out.  There 
are  many  parlor  cars,  a  dining  car,  pullman 


44 


A  FIRST   READER 


sleeper,  and  smoking  car.  I  shall  be  able  to 
o-et  a  shave  on  the  train,  as  there  is  a  barber 
to  do  it.  I  can  also  get  my  letters  type- 
written, as  there  is  a  stenographer  there.  In 
the  dining  car  I  can  get  all  my  meals,  (lood- 
by,  mother." 

"  Good-by,  John ;  take  good  care  of  your- 
self" 

LESSON   XXXIX 

IN  A  DINING  ROOM 


table 

plate              butter 

oranges 

tablecloth 

knife              bread 

apples 

napkin 

spoon            fruit 
pineapples 

bananas 

See  this  pretty  dining  table.  The  table- 
cloth and  napkins  are  of  white  linen.  The 
napkins  are  laid  by  the  side  of  the  plates. 
A  knife  is  on  the  right  side  of  the  plate. 
There  is  a  fork  on  the  left  side.  A  water 
glass  is  placed  near  each  plate.  The  small 
plates  are  used  for  both  bread   and  butter. 


FOE   XEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


45 


Pepper  and  salt  are  ahvays  on  the  table  when 
it  is  set. 

After  we  finish  eating  the  meat  and  vegeta- 
bles, the  plates  are  taken  away. 

The  dessert  is  then  bronght  on.  We  have 
different  kinds  of  desserts.  Pies,  puddings, 
and  ice  cream  are  sometimes  served.     We  eat 


A  TABLE  SET  FOR  FOUR  PEOPLE 

dessert  with  a  spoon  or  a  fork.  ]\Iany  people 
eat  fruit,  such  as  apples,  oranges,  bananas,  or 
pineapples,  for  their  dessert. 

The  coffee  with  the  milk  or  cream  and 
sugar  is  served  last. 

Many  people  are  fond  of  tea  for  their 
supper.  Some  people  use  lemon  in  their 
tea. 


46  A  FIRST  READER 

LESSON   XL 
ADJECTIVES 

I  have  a  red  book. 

He  has  a  beautiful  plant. 

Mary  has  a  blue  dress. 

A  wise  son  makes  a  glad  fother. 

He  has  a  large  hand. 

Kate  has  a  small  foot. 

That  is  a  ripe  apple. 

That  is  a  rotten  peach. 

Here  is  a  large  banana. 

(The  teacher  may  explain  that  the  words  that  are  un- 
derscored are  used  to  describe.) 

Place  these  words  on  the  blackboard. 
Use  in  oral  sentences : 


sad 

clean 

quiet 

dirty 

large 

old 

neat 

strong 

AYeak 

young 

poor 

rich 

FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  47 

LESSON   XLI 

Contractions  are  nsecl  in  conversation  and 
poetry,  also  informal  letters. 


I  am  —  I'm 

do  not  —  don't 

I  will        I'll 

does  not  —  doesn't 

I  would  —  I'd 

must  not  —  mustn't 

he  is  —  he's 

have  not  —  haven't 

she  is  —  she's 

over  —  o'er 

it  is  —  it's 

he  will        he'll 

we  are  —  we're 

she  will  —  she'll 

you  are  —  you're 

we  will  —  we'll 

there  is  —  there's 

who  will  —  wlio'll 

they  are  —  they're 

never  —  ne'er 

madam  —  ma'am 

even  —  e'en 

Where  there's  a  will,  there's  a  way. 

An  honest  man's  the  noblest  work  of  God. 

Howe'er  it  be  it  seems  to  me 
'Tis  only  noble  to  be  good. 

Be  it  ever  so  humble, 
There's  no  place  like  home. 

(The  pupil  may  read  these  lines,  showing  what  words 
the  contractions  stand  for.) 


48 


A  FIRST   READER 


LESSON   XLII 

COMPARISON  OP  ADJECTIVES 

This  is  a  small  book. 

Maiy  has  a  smaller  book. 

John  has  the  smallest  book  of  all. 

James  is  a  tall  man. 

William  is  taller  than  James. 

Jacob  is  the  tallest  of  all. 

(The  teacher  should  have  three  books  of  different 
sizes,  books  to  demonstrate  the  comparison  of  small. 

Pupils  of  different  heights  should  be  brought  before 
the  class  to  demonstrate  the  comparison  of  tall.^ 


fine 

finer 

finest 

polite 

politer 

politest 

dry 

drier 

driest 

wet 

wetter 

wettest 

fat 

fatter 

fattest 

lean 

leaner 

leanest 

thin 

thinner 

thinnest 

thick 

thicker 

thickest 

hot 

hotter 

hottest 

cold 

colder 

coldest 

warm 

warmer 

warmest 

FOR   NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  49 

LESSON   XLIII 

CONVERSATION:   REVIEW     . 

Complete  these  sentences : 

What  are  the  days  of  the  week  ? 

The  days  of  the  Aveek  are , , , 


What  are  the  months '? 
The    months    are    


What  are  the  names  of  the  four  seasons  ? 
The  four  seasons  are , , ,  - — 


What  are  the  chief  points  of  the  compass? 

They  are ,  , , . 

In  what  direction  does  the  street  run  that 
is  in  front  of  the  school  building*  ? 

This  street  runs . 

In  Avhat  direction  do  you  go  when  you  go 
home  I 

I  go . 

Where  is  the  Public  Library  1 

Where  is  the  City  Hall  ? 


50  A  FIRST   EEADER 

LESSON   XLIV 

A  GUEST  AT  A  HOTEL 

Joliu  Mayer  went  to  visit  Xe\y  York  City. 
When  lie  left  tlic  train,  a  porter  carried  his 
suit  case.      He  took  a  cat)  to  the  Jiotet. 

When  he  reached  the  hotel,  he  went  through 
the  loU)ij  up  to  the  desk,  lie  asked  the  clerk 
what  the  rates  were.  The  clerk  said,  ''  Two 
(hdlars  a  day,  European  plan."  He  meant 
that  the  })riee  was  two  dollars  a  day  without 
meals. 

The  American  })lan  is  differoit.  When  the 
rates  are  given,  meals  are  included. 

A  bell  l)oy  then  took  John  to  his  room. 

train  reached 

cab  different 

hotel  American 

lobby  hotel 

rates  suit  case 

Name  two  hotels  in  your  city. 
Tn  Avhat  direction  from  the  school  is  one  of 
these  hotels  1 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


51 


LESSON    XLV 


The    four    seasons     are     spring,     summer, 
autumn,   and  winter. 

The  spring  months  are  March,  April,  May. 
The     summer     months     are     June,     July, 


August. 


The  autumn  or  fall  months  are  September, 
October,  and  November. 

The  winter  months  are  Decend:)er,  January, 
and  February. 


January  . 

Jan. 

February 

Fel). 

March      . 

I\Iar. 

April 
May    .     . 

Apr. 
May 

June  . 

June 

July   .     . 

August    . 
September   . 
October  . 

July 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Oct. 

November 

.     Nov. 

December 

.     Dec. 

52  A   FIRST   READER 

LESSON  XLVI 

ABBREVIATIONS 

^ cents 

$ dollars 

lb pound 

bbl barrel 

P.  0 Post-office 

Col Colonel 

Gen General 

Yo care  of 

Prof. Professor 

P.  S Postscript 

Rev Reverend 

R.  R Railroad 

bu bushel 

cwt ,  hundredweight 

oz ounce 

y(^ }-^i'tl 

A.  ^I forenoon 

M noon 

P.  M afternoon 

etc and  so  forth 


^OR  KEW  AMEKICAN  CITIZENS 
Senior 


53 


Sr.  or  Sen. 
Jr.  or  Jun. 
Dr.       .     • 

cf.    .     • 

i.e. 

viz. 

%     .     • 


Junior 

Doctor 

compare 

that  is 
namely 

per  cent. 

page 


P-     •     •     •  Superintendent 

Supt.    .     •     •     •     * 

D1UECTI0^^S 

The  chief  pomts  of  the  con.pass  are : 

north  .   .   •  ^>-  w 

o  west  .   .   •    ^^• 

south  .  '  '  ^- 

The  poh.tB  between  these  pomts  are: 

-•ti-st . . .  ^- E.  -^•;^,:;  ■ :  ■.  s- w. 

^  17       soutliweht  . 
southeast  .  .  .  ^-  ^^• 

Can  vou  point  to  the  north? 
The  sun  rises  hi  the  east. 

ThP  sun  sets  in  the  west. 

^:  Id  is  blowing  towanl  the  south. 


54  A   FIRST   READER 

LESSON   XLVII 
CONVERSATION 

What  is  your  name  1 

How  old  are  you  'I 

In  what  direction  from  the  school  do  you 
live '? 

I  live . 

What  direction  is  your  work  from  your 
home '? 

]\[y  work  is 

Do  you  take  the  street  cars  or  walk  1 

I to  my  work. 

In  what  direction  does  the  main  street  of 
vour  citv  run  1 

The  main  street  of runs . 

Where  does  the  sun  rise  % 

The  sun  rises  in  the . 

Where  does  the  sun  set  % 

Tlie  sun  sets  in  the . 

See  the  golden  sun  setting  in  the  west. 
Birds  and  bees  and  flowers  all  have  gone  to 
rest. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


55 


'■-:/l#.^ 


^T?#^  -^^ 


LESSON   XLYIII 

THE  VvTIND 

AYlio  lias  seen  the  wind  % 

Neither  I  nor  you  ; 
But  when  the  leaves  hang  trembling, 

The  wind  is  i)assino'  throuali. 
AVho  has  seen  the  wind  \ 

Neither  you  nor  I ; 
But  when  the  trees  bow  down  their 
heads, 

The  wind  is  passing  bv. 

—  Christina  G,  Rossetti. 


56  A  FIRST   READER 

LESSON   XLIX 

HOW  TO  BE  A  NEAT  HOUSEKEEPER 

There  are  many  kinds  of  liuuseAvives.  There 
are  women  that  do  their  work  because  they  have 
to  do  it  and  women  that  do  their  work  because 
they  have  notliing  else  to  do.  The  good  house- 
wife is  the  one  that  Hkes  to  do  her  Avork. 

To  be  a  good  housekeeper  one  has  to  use 
system.  In  a  kitchen  everything  slioukl  have 
its  place.  A  kitchen  cabinet  is  a  very  nice 
thing  to  have  in  a  kitchen  ;  but  three  or  four 
shelves  built  on  the  wall  will  answer  the  pur- 
pose very  nicely. 

On  one  shelf  should  be  put  tea,  coffee, 
spices,  sugar,  salt,  pepper,  and  like  supplies, 
such  as  can  be  kept  in  small  jars. 

Pans  and  kettles  should  be  hung  up  after 
being  carefully  dried.  There  should  be  an 
ice  box  with  ice  in  it  to  keep  tilings  such  as 
milk,  eggs,  butter,  and  meats.  Everything 
that  is  likely  to  spoil  quickly  should  be  kept 
in  the  ice  box. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


57 


THE   SINK   AND    ITS    FITTINGS 

Bread  and  cake  should  be  kept  in  a  box  so 
that  they  will  not  become  stale  too  quickly. 
Flour  should  be  kept  in  a  dry  place. 

A  good  housekeeper  gives  careful  attention 


58  A  FIRST  READER 

to  her  sink.  The  faucets  should  be  washed 
and  polished.  The  sink  should  be  carefully 
scalded  out  after  using*.  Once  a  Aveek  a  little 
lime  should  be  sprinkled  in  the  sink.  This 
will  keep  it  clean  and  free  from  odor. 

No  garbage  should  be  left  about  the 
kitchen.  It  will  bring  disease  if  allowed  to 
remain  long  enough  to  decay.  Many  diseases 
of  the  members  of  the  family  are  only  the 
result  of  careless  housekeeping.  Foul  odors 
are  the  sign  of  dust,  which  will  lilb  the  air 
with  disease  germs.  When  the  apartment  is 
small  and  but  little  fresh  air  can  be  obtained, 
one  should  be  careful  to  get  as  much  as  possi- 
ble of  Avhat  air  there  is.  The  courts  should 
be  kept  clean ;  nothing  should  be  thrown 
there.  Many  apartments  get  their  air  only 
from  courts.  When  this  is  so,  the  housewife 
should  be  doubly  careful  about  disposing  at 
once  of  any  decayed  vegetables  and  meat. 
No  eatables  should  be  left  uncovered. 

*'  Diligence  is  the  mother  of  good  luck." 


FOR   NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


LESSON   L 

A  SET  OP  DISHES 

plates 

saucer 

spoon 

beans 

tureen 

sugar 

knife 

cauliflower 

ladle 

milk 

fork 

corn 

platter 

coffee 

peas 
succotash 

spinach 

In  a  dinner  set  there  are  many  different 
pieces.  The  soup  plates  are  large  and  deep. 
The  dinner  plates  are  large  and  flat.  On  these 
plates  meats  and  potatoes  are  served.  Vege- 
tables, such  as  peas,  beans,  cauliflower,  suc- 
cotash, corn,  and  spinach,  are  served  in  small, 
round  dishes.  A  small  plate  is  used  for  the 
bread  and  butter,  also  for  fruit. 

Meat  is  brought  to  the  table  on  a  large 
platter.  The  soup  is  served  from  a  soup 
tureen  with  a  soup  ladle. 

The  gravy  dish  is  shaped  something  like  a 
pitcher.  Sugar  bowl,  milk  pitcher,  cups  and 
saucers,  and  sometimes  tea  and  coffee  pots, 
come  with  a  dinner  set. 


60  A  FIRST   READER 

LESSON   LI 

A  BEDROOM  AND  ITS  CARE 

One  of  the  most  important  rooms  in  a 
house  is  the  bedroom.  In  a  bedroom  we 
spend  half  of  our  hves.  AVe  should  be  very 
particular  as  to  the  air  in  the  bedroom.  Do 
not  keep  this  room  too  warm.  There  should 
]  be  tAYO  sheets  on  the  bed  besides  the  blankets 
and  the  covers.  I^hice  the  bed  where  it  will 
not  be  in  a  draught  when  the  window  is 
opened,   as  it  should  be,  all  night. 

In  the  morning,  the  pillows  and  bedclothes 
should  be  thoroup-hlv  aired.  The  room 
should  be  kept  very  clean  and  free  from  dust. 
Disease  germs  gather  in  the  dust,  and  dur- 
ing the  night  we  are  likely  to  breathe  these 
disease  germs. 

Be  very  careful  about  coughing  and  spit- 
ting in  a  bedroom.  The  sputum  (or  spittle) 
dries  and  forms  dust,  which  we  breathe  in  the 
air. 

"  Cleanliness  is  next  to  godliness." 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  61 


LESSON   LIT 

lamb 

potato         vegetable 

worm 

poultry 

wheat          beef 

digestible 

ham 

corn             nourish 

milk 

FOOD  AND  WATER 

We  must  have  food  and  water  to  nourish 
our  bodies.  It  may  be  either  animal  food  or 
it  may  be  vegetable  food.  Most  people  live 
on  both.  The  most  nourishing  animal  food 
is  beef. 

Lamb,  mutton,  and  poultry  come  next. 
Ham  and  sausages  are  dangerous  unless 
thoroughly  cooked.  There  is  a  little  worm 
in  the  raw  ham  that  is  killed  by  thorough 
cooking.  Fish  is  a  light  and  digestible  food, 
Ijut  it  must  he  fresh.  Eggs  contain  a  great 
deal  of  nourishment.  Milk  is  one  of  the  most 
valuable  of  foods.  Some  people  say  it  is  the 
most  valuable.  Babies  live  on  milk  alone, 
and  sick  people  live  a  long  time  on  nothing 
but  milk. 


62 


A  FIRST   READER 


LESSON   LIII 


VEGETABLE  FOODS 


Among  vegetable  foods,  the  potato  is  per- 
haps the  most  important.  AVe  have  also 
wheat,  rice,  corn,  oats,  rye,  and  barley. 
Green  garden  vegetables  are  very  healthful  on 

account  of  the  juices 


which  they  contain. 

Our  food  should  be 
well  cooked. 

Many  people  live 
on  only  fruit  and 
vegetables.  Both  are 
very  healthful.  Peas 
and  beans  hold  much  matter  for  making  flesh 
and  blood.  Potatoes,  radishes,  onions,  cucum- 
bers, beets,  and  lettuce  also  help  keep  the  body 
in  a  healthful  condition. 

Ripe  apples,  pears,  plums,  peaches,  furnish 
useful  salts  to  the  body. 

Green    fruit    and    fruit   Avhich    is    overripe 
should  never  be  eaten. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


63 


64  A  FIRST   EEADEK 

LESSON   LIV 

ADVICE  ABOUT  BATING 

Before  food  is  put  into  the  nioutli,  it  should 
be  cut  or  broken  into  small  pieces.  After 
food  is  placed  in  the  mouth,  it  should  be 
■^  chewed  twenty  or  thirty  times.  Food  treated 
in  this  way  Avill  not  cause  headaches  or  a 
sickness  of  the  stomach  called  indio-estion. 

Much  ice  water  should  not  be  drunk  at 
mealtimes.  It  is  not  a  good  thing,  after 
eating  a  substantial  dinner,  to  eat  much  des- 
sert. A  large  plate  of  ice  cream,  after  one 
has  eaten  heartily  of  other  thino-s,  may  cause 
a  bad  attack  of  indigestion.  Many  foods  are 
good  if  eaten  sparingly,  or  by  themselyes,  but 
are  unwholesome  when  eaten  in  excess,  or 
with  other  things. 

There  are  foods  which  are  good  for  grown- 
up people  that  are  not  good  for  children. 
Very  young  babies  should  be  giyen  nothing 
but  milk.  Little  children  should  neyer  be 
-^giyen  tea  or  coffee,  and  not  much  cake  and 


FOR   KEW  AIMEEICAN   CITIZENS  G5 

candy.  Eggs,  beef,  and  mutton,  fresh  vege- 
tables and  fruits,  with  plenty  of  bread  and 
butter,  are  the  best  foods  for  children,  A\dth 
milk,  cocoa,  and  water  to  drink.  Young 
babies  should  now  and  then  be  given  a  little 
water,  not  too  cold.  Everv  one,  voung;  and 
old,  should  drink  plenty  of  water  between 
meals. 


LESSON   LV 

CARE   OP  FOOD 

Dirt  and  dust  contahi  germs.  If  food  is 
left  uncovered,  these  germs  will  get  into  it. 
All  kinds  of  food  should  be  well  covered. 
No  food  should  be  eaten  after  mold  is  formed 
on  it. 

Fresh  meat  will  not  remain  good  even  one 
day  if  left  in  a  warm  place.  Maggots  will 
soon  gather  upon  it.  All  meat  should  be 
kept  on  ice. 

Milk  is  tlie  most  perfect  food  known.  It 
contains    evervthino:    needed    to    build    and 


66 


A   FIRST  READER 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  67 

strengthen  the  body.  Milk  is  a  healthful 
drink  for  nearly  every  one  and  especially  use- 
ful for  those  with  weak  bodies.  Babies  live 
entirely  upon  milk. 

Great  care  should  be  taken  to  keep  milk 
clean.      Dirty  milk   is   poisonous   milk.     We 


MILK   STATION    IN    NEW    YORK    CITY 

must  be  very  careful  to  get  not  only  clean 
milk,  but  milk  from    healthy   cows.      These 
cows    should   be    milked    by   persons    Avhose 
health  is  good  and  whose  hands  are  clean. 
Many  diseases  are  spread,  such  as  typhoid 


G8  A   FIRST   EEADER 

fever,   scarlet  fever,  or  diphtheria,  by  impure 
milk. 

Milk  should  be  kept  on  ice  in  warm  weather. 
It  should  never  be  left  standin<^  uncovered. 

LESSON   LVI 

THE    SKIN 

The  whole  body  is  covered  by  the  skin. 
The  nails,  like  the  hair,  grow  out  of  the  skin. 
They  make  the  ends  of  the  fingers  firm,  so 
that  we  can  pick  up  small  things  and  hold 
them  firmlv. 

The  habit  of  biting  the  nails  ought  always 
to  be  avoided.  Fingers  on  which  the  nails 
are  bitten  to  the  quick  look  bad  and  are 
less  useful. 

The  skin  is  a  very  important  part  of  the 
body.  It  is  bad  tor  the  skin  to  wear  clothing 
that  is  too  heavy.  Such  clothing  keeps  the 
skin  wet  with  perspiration  and  softens  and 
weakens  it.  One  should  not  stay  too  long  in 
hot  rooms.  The  skin  needs  a  great  deal  of 
fresh  air. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


69 


70  A  FIRST   READER 

LESSON   LVII 

BATHING 

We  should  wasli  the  skin  thorouo;hlv  and 
,  very  often.  A  daily  bath  is  very  necessary. 
1  Bathing  keeps  the  pores  of  tlie  skin  open. 
The  rubbing  by  which  we  dry  the  skin  makes 
the  blood  flow  through  it.  It  makes  it  soft 
and  pliable.  The  cool  water  rouses  it  and 
makes  it  active,  so  that  we  are  not  likely  to 
catch  cold  bv  o-ettino;  the  skin  chilled  bv 
water  or  damp  air.  One  of  the  best  ways  to 
>/  prevent  disease  is  by  batliing  often.  A  salt- 
water bath  is  very  stimulating  to  the  skin. 
A  salt  bath  can  be  taken  in  your  tub  at  home. 
A  cup  of  sea  salt  should  be  added  to  the 
water.  This  is  very  heljDful,  although  not  as 
invio'oratino^  as  an  ocean  bath.  Do  not  take 
a  cold  bath  when  the  skin  is  overheated. 
By  no  means  should  one  bathe  soon  after 
eating.  Do  not  stay  in  the  water  until  you 
are  chilled  throuo-h. 


FOE   XEW   A^rEEICAX    CITIZEXS  71 

LESSON   LVIII 

THE   HEAD 

The  hair  is  on  the  tnp.  sides,  and  Ijaek  of 
the  head.  Some  pe(»}>h'  have  l)hiek  hair, 
while  other  peopk^  liave  h^(»^\ll  hair.  There 
are  other  people  still  ^\"hust'  hair  is  red  or  a 
golden  color. 

There  is  a  difference  in  the  texture  of  the 
hair.  Some  hair  is  coarse,  and  other  hair  is 
fine.  Most  peo[)le  ha^'e  straiiiht  liair.  A  few 
have  wavy  or  curly  hair.  The  hair,  lilvc 
every  other  part  of  the  Ixxly,  shcjuld  he 
washed  often  enough  to  kee})  it  clean. 
^  Each  person  should  have  two  eyes,  one 
mouth,  and  one  nose.  The  color  of  the  eyes 
varies  in  different  people.  Some  of  the  colors 
are  gray,  light  hlue,  hrown,  and  hlaek. 

Our  forehead  is  aV)ove  our  eyes.  Over  the 
eyes  are  eyelids.  f)n  the  eyelids  are  tine 
hairs,  which  we  call  eyelashes.  Al)ove  our 
eyes  are  oiu'  eyebrows.  The  small  openings 
in  the  nose  are  the  nostrils.    Below  the  mouth 


72  A   FIKST   READER 

is  tlie  chin.  An  ear  is  on  eaeli  side  of  the 
face.  The  sense  of  smell  is  in  the  nose.  The 
sense  of  hearing  is  in  the  ears. 


LESSON   LIX 

THE   TRUNK   OP   THE    BODY 

The  trunk  is  tlie  main  part  of  the  body. 
In  the  trunk  are  many  organs.  The  organs 
that  help  us  to  breathe  are  called  the  lungs. 
The  liver  also  helps  to  regulate  the  body.  The 
heart  is  the  organ  that  is  the  center  of  the  cir- 
culation. The  stomach  is  the  organ  to  which 
the  food  goes  to  be  digested.  The  waste  food 
goes  into  the  intestines.  The  neck  connects 
the  head  with  the  trunk  of  the  body. 

lungs  stomach 

heart  circulation 

digested  liyer 

organs  neck 


(The  teacher  should  explain  more  in  detail  concerning 
the  different  organs.  Drawings  should  be  placed  on  the 
board.) 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


73 


THE  PARTS  OF  THE  HUMAN  BODY 


74  A  FIRST   READER 

LESSON   LX 

THE    LIMBS 

The  upper  limbs  are  divided  into  arm,  fore- 
arm, and  hand.  The  lower  limbs  are  divided 
into  leg  and  foot.  The  thigh  is  the  upper 
part  of  the  leg.  The  knee  is  between  the 
upper  and  lower  part  of  the  leg.  The  ankle 
is  between  the  leg  and  the  foot. 

Great  care  should  l^e  taken  of  a  child  when 
it  starts  to  walk.  If  it  is  allowed  to  walk 
before  it  is  strong  enough,  the  legs  will  bend 
and  become  crooked  or  bowed.  Since  the  feet 
perspire  freely,  care  should  be  taken  to  bathe 
them  very  often. 

LESSON   LXI 

EXERCISE 

One  should  take  exercise  every  day.  The 
muscles  all  need  to  be  used  to  keep  them  in 
good  condition.  When  we  exercise,  the  blood 
flows  faster  through  the  body.  More  oxygen 
gets  into  our  blood.  Good  blood  gives  more 
life  to  the  muscles. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


75 


We  should  not  try  to  do  things  that  are 
bevond  our  streno-th.  We  should  not  lift 
anything  that  is  too  heavy.     Neither  should 


SCHOOL   CHILDREN    EXERCISING    IN   THE    PARK 


we  keep   up   any  exercise    until   we    are  ex- 
hausted. 

Care  should  be  taken  to  breathe  throuo-li 
the  nose,  not  the  mouth.  When  out  in  the 
fresh  air,  inhale  long,  deep  breaths.  This 
will  fill  the  lungs  with  pure,  fresh  air. 


76  A   FIEST   READER 

Games  such  as  football,  baseball,  lawn 
tennis,  and  l)owlino-  are  good  exercise  for  the 
muscles. 

LESSON   LXII 

TOBACCO  AND  ALCOHOL 

Some  people  can  use  tobacco  with  very 
little  injury.  Other  people  suffer  greatly  by 
its  use.  Tobacco  weakens  the  stomach.  It 
sometimes  makes  the  throat  sore.  Cancer  in 
the  throat  or  mouth  may  be  caused  by  tobacco. 
Tobacco  also  affects  the  heart,  making  its 
action  irregular  and  weak.  Tobacco  should 
not  be  used  by  children  and   young  people. 

All  drinks  that  contain  alcohol  are  more  or 
less  injurious.  Too  mucli  wine,  beer,  l)randy, 
or  whisky  will  injure  the  body  very  much. 
Many  men  spend  more  money  for  alcoholic 
drinks  than  for  anv  one  other  thinp'  in  tlie 
world.  The  drinking  habit  should  be  very 
carefully  avoided.  Drink  will  sometimes 
change  good  men  into  creatures  that  are 
worse    than    beasts.     Drink    can    destroy    a 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  77 

man's  home  and  character.  If  alcoholic 
drinks  are  used  at  all,  they  should  be  used 
very  sparingdy.  Young  people  should  not 
use  alcohol  at  all. 

Motto :  "  Love  thyself  well,  too  well  to  do 
aught  that  may  injure  thy  body,  thy  mind, 
or  thy  soul." 


LESSON   LXIII 

CARE   OF   THE    TEETH 

What  is  more  beautiful  than  a  nice  set  of 
clean,  white,  perfect  teeth?  All  of 
us  are  not  so  fortunate  as  to  have 
them.  But  we  can  give  attention 
to  our  teeth  and  preserve  them  as 
long  as  we  can.   . 

This  can  be  done  bv  brushins: 
them  two  or  three  times  a  day 
Avith  a  toothljrush.  A  little  tooth 
powder  should  l)e  used  once  a  day. 
If  there  is  any  pain  in  the  teeth,  a 
dentist  should  be  consulted  at  once. 


78  A  FIRST   READER 

He  can   save  teetli  if  a  person   goes  to  him 
at  the  beginning  of  the  trouble. 

A  clean  mouth  and  sound  teetli  have  nuich 
to  do  in  keeping  a  person  well.  If  the  mouth 
is  unclean,  one  or  two  disease  germs  entering 
I  r^  may  remain  there  and  grow.  A  few  germs 
I  of  diphtheria,  sore  throat,  or  tuberculosis  are 
likely  to  get  into  the  mouth  any  day,  but  if 
the  mouth  and  teeth  are  well  washed,  the 
germs  will  not  have  time  to  grow  and  cause 
sickness. 

LESSON   LXIV 

CARE    OF    THE    EYES 

One  of  the  most  delicate  organs  of  the  body 
is  the  eye.  Much  care  should  be  given  to  the 
eyes.  If  you  have  been  given  perfect  eyes, 
you  should  be  careful  not  to  strain  them.  If 
you  feel  that  they  have  become  a  little  weak- 
ened l)y  overwork,  bathe  them  with  water. 
A  fcAv  grains  of  salt  or  a  little  boracic  acid 
added  to  the  water  will  aid  greatly  in  strength- 
ening them. 


FOR   NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 

If  you  have  been 
given  weak  eyes 
or  eyes  that  are 
crossed,  by  all 
means  see  a  doc- 
tor. He  can  do 
ni  u  c  h  t  o  w  a  r  d 
straio-htenino;  the 
eyes.  Glasses  will 
hel[)  to  make  the 
eves  strono-er. 

CORRECT  POSITION   FOR  READING 


LESSON   LXV 

CARE    OF    THE    CLOTHES 

Xo  matter  what  kind  of  garments  you  have 
on,  you  should  give  them  care.  A  garment 
that  is  properly  taken  care  of  will  last  twice 
as  long.  When  clothes  are  taken  ofi',  they 
should  be  carefully  hung  up  on  hangers,  for 
this  will  keep  them  in  shape.  Brush  your 
clothes  every  day,  as  dirt  and  disease  germs, 


80  A   FIRST   READER 

gather  in  them.      Once  a  week,  clothes  should 
be  thoroughly  brushed  and  pressed. 

The  underclothing  should  be  changed  very 
often.  The  impurities  of  the  blood  are  cast 
off  through  the  pores.  These  impurities  gather 
upon  the  clothing  next  to  the  skin. 

LESSON   LXYI 

THE    MONTHS 

January  brings  the  snow, 
Makes  our  feet  and  fino-ers  p'Iow. 

February  brings  the  rain, 
Thaws  the  frozen  lake  again. 

March  brings  breezes  sharp  and  chill. 
Shakes  the  dancing  daffodil. 

April  brings  the  primrose  sweet, 
Scatters  daisies  at  our  feet. 

May  brings  flocks  of  pretty  lambs, 
Sporting  round  their  fleecy  dams. 

June  bruigs  tulips,  lilies,  roses. 

Fills  the  children's  hands  with  posies. 


FOR   XEW  AMERICAN"   CITIZENS  81 

Hot  July  brings  tliundershowers, 
Apricots  and  gillyflowers. 

August  brings  the  sheaves  of  corn  ; 
Then  tlie  harvest  home  is  borne. 

Warm  September  brings  the  fruit ; 
Sportsmen  then  begin  to  shoot. 

Brown  October  brings  the  pheasant ; 
Then  to  gather  nuts  is  pleasant. 

Dull  November  brino-s  the  blast  — 
Hark !   the  leaves  are  whirling  fast. 

Cold  December  brings  the  sleet, 
Blazing  fire,  and  Christmas  treat. 

—  Saka  Coleridge. 


Thirty  days  hath  September, 

April,  June,  and  November ; 

All  the  rest  have  thirty-one. 

Excepting  February,  twenty-eight  alone. 


82  A   FIRST   READER 

LESSON   LXVII 

MANNERS    IN    BUSINESS    AFFAIRS 

It  matters  not  wliethcr  a  person  is  at  the 
head  of  a  hirge  organization  or  merely  an 
office  boy.  Two  of  the  nicest  important  traits 
one  can  possess  are  pohteness  and  kindness  to 
others. 

A  business  letter  should  l)e  short,  to  the 
point,  and  very  courteous.  Every  business  let- 
ter should  have  the  proper  polite  heading.  Do 
not  mix  business  with  personal  affairs.  Busi- 
ness letters  should  be  ansAvered  at  once.  The 
date  and  address  should  never  be  omitted. 
Letters  that  contain  money  should  receive 
})rompt  attention. 

Never  ])ut  off  till  to-morrow  what  you  can 
do  to-day. 

Undertake  not  what  you  cannot  perform, 
but  be  careful  to  keej)  your  promise. 

They  who  travel  Avith  I)y-and-ljy  soon  come 
to  the  house  of  Never. 


FOE  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  83 

LESSON   LXVIII 
BORROWING 

Borrowing  is  a  ]ial)it  one  should  try  to 
avoid.  If  it  is  necessary  to  borroAv,  see  that 
the  article  is  returned  in  good  condition. 
When  a  book  is  borrowed  and  toi'n  or  lost, 
a  new  one  should  be  returned  in  its  place. 
Thoughtfulness  is  a  duty  we  owe  to  others 
and  ourselves. 

LESSON   LXIX 

PAYING  BILLS 

Bills  should  be  promptly  paid.  Promptly 
paying  your  bills  will  strengthen  your  credit. 
If  you  contract  a  debt,  it  should  be  promptly 
paid.  Why  wait  until  you  have  been  dunned 
over  and  over  ag^ain  ?  It  is  annovino;  to  the 
person  you  owe  and  also  annoying  to  you.  If 
you  contract  a  debt,  you  should  know  exactly 
when  you  will  have  the  money  to  pay  it. 

''Promptness  is  the  soul  of  business." 


84 


A   FIRST   READER 


LESSON   LXX 

WORDS  USED  IN  A  COURTHOUSE 


manslaughter 


degree 
police 


murder 

jail 

precinct 

penitentiary 

steal 

detective 


courthouse  prison 

summons  search-warrant 

witness  larceny 

oath  perjury 

offense 

felony 

crime 

(The  teacher  may  exphiin  these  words.) 

The  man  will  be  on  trial  in  the  courthouse. 

The  police  caught  hiin  stealing. 

He  was  convicted. 

Did  he  go  to  prison  1 

The  detective  entered  the  house  with  a 
search-warrant. 

He  took  an  oath  Avhen  he  went  upon  the 
stand. 

We  live  in  the  first  precinct. 

He  swore  to  a  lie,  and  it  was  perjury. 

The  man  was  convicted  of  murder  in  the 
first  degree. 


EOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  85 

LESSON   LXXI 
GOOD  MANNERS 

Talkiiig  or  laughing  loudly  in  a  street 
car,  theater,  or  any  place  where  people  are 
congregated  is  very  bad  form.  Criticising 
people  aloud  is  especially  to  be  avoided. 
Staring  at  people  so  that  they  notice  it 
is  xery  ill-mannered.  Looking  at  a  per- 
son's clothes  is  very  embarrassing  to  that 
person.  C^ontinually  handling  your  own 
clothes  is  another  habit  that  should  be 
avoided. 

If  a  person  is  talking  to  you,  give  him  your 
close  attention.  Look  at  him  while  lie  is 
speaking.  A  man  that  is  polite  never  walks 
in  front  of  another.  If  he  is  forced  to  do  so, 
he  will  apologize.  He  will  never  sit  down 
while  ladies  are  standing. 

Ill-natured  and  spiteful  remarks  and  stories 
that  are  injurious  to  others  should  be  avoided. 
Do  not  try  to  talk  about  your  neighbors  and 
friends.     If  it   is   necessary  to   say  anything, 


86 


A  riEST   EEADER 


have    a    ohxxI    word    for    eveiybodj.       Speak 
kindlj  or  do  not  speak  at  all. 


<2€€-€-/i'   'f/i-u-  fa'^'-^t 


LESSON   LXXII 

MANNERS  WHILE  SHOPPING 


M-J] 


Coiii-tfpy  nftho  Ilatine  Company,  Newark,  N.J. 
A    DEPARTMENT   STORE 


Certain  goods  in  the  shops  are  not  supposed 
to  be  handled.     An  ill-bred  shopper  will  be 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  87 

seen  handling  these  goods  and  probably  in- 
juring them.  Ill-bred  shoppers,  just  to  satisfy 
their  idle  curiosity,  take  the  time  of  sales- 
people who  are  tired  and  overworked.  These 
same  persons  will  crowd  out  other  shoppers 
by  delay  in  deciding  what  they  are  going  to 
do.  They  ol^struct  the  passageway  to  talk 
to  their  friends ;  in  fact,  they  are  extremely 
selfish  in  everything  they  do,  showing  no 
regard  for  the  feelings  of  other  people.  If 
you  are  polite,  the  salesladies  will  wait  upon 
you  with  greater  care  and  courtesy.  Your 
patronage  will  be  desired  and  courted. 

''  Civility  costs  nothing  and  buys  everything." 

LESSON   LXXIII 

COLORS 

red  yellow  violet  purple 

blue  green  brown  pink 

Beautiful  colors  are  found  in  flowers. 
The  color  of  the  grass  is  green. 
The  sky  is  light  blue. 


88  A  FIRST   EEADEE, 

What  is  the  color  of  that  book  1 

It  is  red. 

Pansies  are  sometimes  violet. 

Geranimns  are  pink  and  red. 

Coal  is  hlack. 

The  snow  is  white. 

Carnations  are  pink. 

Have  you  a  brown  pencil  ? 

Yes,  this  pencil  is  brown. 

Have  yon  any  red  berries  1 

No,  but  I  have  some  purple  grapes. 

LESSON   LXXIV 

Young-  men,  you  are  the  architects  of  your 
own  fortunes.  Rely  on  your  own  strength  of 
body  and  soul.  Take  for  your  star  self- 
reliance.  Energy,  invincible  determination, 
with  a  right  motive,  are  the  levers  tliat  move 
the  world.  Love  your  God  and  your  fellow- 
men.  Love  truth  and  virtue.  Love  your 
country  and  obey  its  laAvs.  —  Porter. 


FOR   XEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  89 

LOOK  UP 

Look  up  !  and  not  down  ; 
Out !  and  not  in  ; 
Forward  !  and  not  back ; 
And  lend  a  hand. 

—  Edward  Evekett  Hale  (^Motto  for 
the  Lend  a  Hand  Society). 


LESSON    LXXV 

THE   NEWSPAPER 

The  newspaper  is  a  great  power.  It  tells 
us  the  news  of  the  world.  It  tells  us  what 
other  people  everywhere  are  doing  and  think- 
ing. 

We  have  different  kinds  of  newspapers. 
We  get  the  morning  paper  every  morning. 
We  get  the  evening  paper  every  evening. 
These  morning  or  evenhig  papers  are  called 
the  "■  Daily  Papers."  There  are  also  papers 
that  we  get  every  week.  These  papers  are 
called  "  Weekly  Papers."  When  one  is  out 
of  work  a  newspaper  will  tell  one  how  to  get 


90  A  FIRST   READER 

work.  Tlie  "  Advertising  Columns  "  tell  who 
needs  help  and  where  to  go  to  g-et  work. 

On  the  hrst  page  is  the  most  important 
news.  One  should  read  the  editorials.  These 
are  written  by  the  editor,  and  give  one  much 
help  in  understanding  difficult  questions. 

Every  one  should  read  a  good  newspaper 
every  day,  if  he  is  able  to  read. 

LESSON    LXXVI 

COLD  ^WEATHBR 

cold  colder 

snow  picture 

jingle  city 

water  frozen 

ice  ground 

It  is  very  cold  to-night.  The  snow  is  two 
feet  deep  on  the  ground.  Do  you  hear  the 
sleigh  bells  going,  jingle,  jingle,  jingle  1  The 
water  is  frozen  and  we  call  it  ice. 

This  is  a  picture  of  a  city  in  Alaska.  It  is 
much   colder  in  Alaska  than  in  the    United 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


91 


States.  The  snow  is  so  deep  that  it  ahiiost 
covers  the  house-tops.  Ahiska  is  in  the  north- 
western part  of  North  America.  It  belongs 
to  the  United  States.     We  get  many  valuable 


WINTER    IN   ALASKA 


things  from  Alaska.  Furs  taken  from  many 
different  animals  are  sent  to  all  parts  of  the 
United  States.  We  also  get  fish  and  gold 
from  Alaska. 

At  one  time  Alaska  was  owned  by  Russia. 


92  A  FIRST   READER 

Some  men  in  the  United  States  saw  the  im- 
mense importance  of  owning  tiiis  land.  In 
1867  the  United  States  bought  Alaska  from 
Russia. 


LESSON   LXXVII 

ON  A  STREET  CAR 

When  you  are  getting  on  a  street  car  you 
should  have  five  cents  ready.  Five  cents  is 
sometimes  called  a  nickel.  Some  cars  have 
a  sign  reading,  "  Pay  as  you  enter."  Place 
the  nickel  in  the  l)ox.  The  conductor  stands 
near.  Ask  him  for  a  transfer.  He  will  give 
you  a  transfer,  marking  by  a  punch  the  hour 
during  which  you  may  use  it.  Do  not  stand 
on  the  platform.  A  bell  button  is  on  the  side 
of  the  car.  Push  the  button  when  you  are 
half  a  block  from  the  corner  where  vou  wish 
to  get  off.  The  motorman  will  then  stop  the 
car. 

There  is  a  sign   in   the   cars   which   reads, 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


93 


"  No    spitting    allowed.      Five    dollars    fine." 
Every  one  should  respect  this  sign. 


in  sentences : 

nickel 

motorman 

conductor 

sign 

transfer 

corner 

platform 

block 

LESSON   LXXVIII 

CONVERSATIONAL   LESSON 

Each    pupil    should    tell    one    thing    about 
each  of  these  Avords : 


house 

wall 

dining  room 

door 

hall 

road 

window 

room 

horse 

roof 

bedroom 

wagon 

floor 

parlor 

street 

ceiling 

sitting- 

room 

yard 

kitchen 


PART   II 
SELECTIONS   FOR   READING 

WE    ARE   SEVEN 

A  simple  cliild, 
That  lightly  draws  its  breath, 
And  feels  its  life  in  every  limb, 
What  shi^uld  it  know  of  death  ? 

I  met  a  little  cottage  g-irl. 
She  was  eight  years  old,  she  said ; 
Her  hair  was  thick  with  many  a  curl 
That  clustered  round  her  head. 

She  had  a  rustic,  woodland  air, 
And  she  Avas  wildly  clad ; 
Her  eves  were  fair,  and  verv  fair ; 
Her  beauty  made  me  glad. 

''  Sisters  and  brothers,  little  maid. 
How  many  may  you  be  ?  " 
"How  many?     Seven  in  all,"  she  said, 
And  wondering  looked  at  me. 

94 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  95 

"  And  Avliere  are  they  1    I  pray  you  tell." 
She  answered,  "  Seven  are  we, 
And  two  of  us  at  Conway  dwell, 
And  two  are  gone  to  sea. 

"Two  of  us  in  the  ehurchyard  lie. 
My  sister  aud  my  brother; 
And  in  the  ehurehvard  eottao-e,  I 
Dwell  near  them  with  my  mother." 

"You  say  that  two  at  Conway  dwell, 
And  two  are  gone  to  sea. 
Yet  ye  are  seven,  I  pray  you  tell, 
Sweet  maid,  how  this  may  be  I " 

Then  did  the  little  maid  reply, 
"  Seven  boys  and  girls  are  we ; 
Two  of  us  in  the  ehurehvard  lie, 
Beneath  the  churehyard  tree." 

"You  run  about,  my  little  maid; 
Your  limbs  they  are  alive. 
If  two  are  in  the  churehyard  laid. 
Then  ye  are  only  live." 


96  A  FIRST   READER 

''Their  graves  are  o;reen,  tliey  may  be  seen," 
The  httle  maid  replied, 

''  Twelve  steps  or  more  from  my  mother's  door, 
And  they  are  side  by  side. 

My  stockings  there  I  often  knit, 
My  kerchief  there  I  hem  ; 
And  there  upon  the  ground  I  sit, 
And  sino'  a  sono;  to  them. 

And  often  after  sunset,  sir, 
When  it  is  light  and  fair, 
I  take  my  little  porringer, 
And  eat  my  supper  there. 

The  first  that  died  was  sister  Jane ; 
In  bed  she  moaning  lay. 
Till  God  released  her  from  her  pain 
And  then  she  went  away. 

So  in  the  churchyard  she  Avas  laid; 
And,  when  the  grass  was  dry. 
Together  round  her  grave  we  played. 
My  brother  John  and  I. 


FOR   NEW   AMEKICxVN   CITIZENS  97 

And  when  tlie  ground  was  white  with  snow. 

And  I  could  run  and  sUde, 

Mv  brother  John  was  forced  to  0:0, 

And  he  Ues  by  her  side." 

''How  many  are  you,  then,"  said  I, 
"  If  they  two  are  in  heaven  ?  " 
Quick  was  the  httle  maid's  reply, 
"0  Master,  w^e  are  seven." 

''But  they  are  dead  ;    those  two  are  dead ; 
Their  spirits  are  in  heaven." 
'Twas  throwing  words  away,  for  still 
The  little  maid  would  have  her  will : 
And  said,  "  Nay,  we  are  seven." 

—  William  Wordsworth. 

THE   FOX   AND   THE   CAT 

A  sly  old  fox,  who  was  very  proud  of  his 
cunning,  one  day  met  a  modest  cat.  "  How 
do  you  do,  Mr.  Fox  ?  "  said  the  cat. 

"  Very  Avell,"  replied  the  fox.  "  Come  now, 
Mrs.  Cat,  it  is  said  that  you  are  very  quick- 
witted.    Tell  me,  I  pray  you,  how  many  tricks 


98 


A  FIRST   READER 


you  know  for  escaping  the  dogs,  the  enemies 
of  us  both." 

''  Oh,  I  know  but  one,"  answered  she,  *'  and 
that  is  to  scramble  up  a  tree  as  fast  as  I  can." 


^'  V 


"  Is  that  all  ?  "  said  the  fox  ;  "  why,  I  know 
at  least  a  hundred.  How  I  pity  your  igno- 
rance." 

Just  then  they  heard  the  baying  of  the 
hounds.      "  Good-by,"  said  the  cat,  and  run- 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  99 

ning  up  a  tree,  she  hid  in  the  branches,  where 
she  could  see  all  that  happened  without  being 
seen. 

The  fox  tried  all  his  tricks  in  vain.  The 
dogs  quickly  seized  him.  As  thej  were  drag- 
ging him  away,  the  cat  called  from  the  tree, 
"  Good-by,  Mr.  Fox,  how  I  pity  you,  and  how 
glad  I  am  that  I  know  one  good  thing  well." 


r 


THE    BOY   AND   THE    WOLF 

A  boy  was  once  left  to  watch  a  flock  of 
sheep  feeding  on  a  hill.  Not  far  away  were 
some  laborers  busy  at  work  in  the  fields. 
"Now  I  will  have  some  sport,"  thought  the 
boy,  and  he  shouted  as  loud  as  he  could : 
''  Help,  help,  the  wolves  are  carrying  off  my 
lambs !  "  Once,  twice,  three  times,  the  men 
left  their  work  and  ran  to  help  the  boy,  but 
he  only  laughed  at  them  for  their  pains. 


100 


A  FIRST   READER 


At  last  a  wolf  really  did  come,  and  the  boy 
cried  again  for  help.    Bnt  this  time  he  shouted 


'fz^i^'^^T 


v/N'"^  ' 


in  vain,  and  thus  by  tlie  loss  of  his  flock  he 
learned  that  those  who  do  not  always  speak 
the  truth  will  not  be  believed  at  any  time. 

— iEsop. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


101 


A  fox  once  saw  a  crow  fly  oft'  witli  a  piece 
of  cheese.  She  carried  it  in  her  beak  to  a 
branch  of  a  tree. 

"  That's  for  me,  as  sure  as  I  am  a  Fox," 
said  Master  Eeynard.  So  he  walked  to  the 
foot  of  the  tree. 

"  Good  day,  Mistress  Crow,"  cried  he. 
"  How  well  you  are  looking  to-day !  How 
glossy  your  feathers  are  ! 

"  How  bright  your  eye  is  ! 

''  I  feel  sure  that  your  voice  must  be  sweet. 

"Just  let  me  hear  one  song  from  you. 
Then  I  will  greet  you  as  the  queen  of  birds." 

The  crow  lifted  up  her  head.  She  began 
to  caw  her  best. 

But  the  moment  she  opened  her  mouth, 
the  piece  of  cheese  fell  out. 

Then  blaster  Fox  snapped  it  up. 


102 


A  FIRST  EEADER 


"  That  was  all  I  wanted,"  said  he. 
"  For  your  cheese,   Mistress   Crow,   I  will 
give  you  this  advice  : 

"  '  Do  not  trust  flatterers.' " 

—  -^sop's  Fables. 


THE  TOWN  MOUSE  AND  THE  COUNTRY  MOUSE 

Now  you  must  know  that  a  Town  Mouse 
once  upon  a  time  went  on  a  visit  to  his 
cousin  in  the  country.  He  was  rough  and 
ready,  this  cousin,  but  he  loved  his  town 
friend  and  made  him  welcome.  Beans  and 
bacon,  cheese  and  bread,  were  all  he  had  to 
offer,  but  he  offered  them  freely. 

The  Town  Mouse  turned  up  his  long  nose 
at  this  country  fare,  and  said :  "I  cannot 
understand,    Cousin,    liow    you    can    put    up 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


103 


Avith  such  poor  food  as  this,  but  of  course  you 

can  not  expect  anything  better  in  the  country ; 

come  with  me  and  I  will  show 

you  how   to   live.     When  you- 

have  been  in  town  a  week  you 

Avill    wonder    how    you    could 

ever    have     stood    a     country 

life." 

No   sooner  said  than   done ; 

the    two    mice   set   off  for  the 

town  and  arrived  at  the  Town 

Mouse's  home  late  at  night.     "  You  will  want 

something  to  eat  after  our  long  journey,"  said 
the  polite  Town  Mouse ;  and 
he  took  his  friend  into  the 
grand  dining  room.  There 
they  found  the  remains  of  a 
fine  feast,  and  soon  the  two 
mice  were  eating  jellies  and 
cakes  and  all  that  was  nice. 
Suddenly  they  heard  growling 
and  barking. 
•'What  is  that]  "  said  the  Country  IMouse. 


104 


A  FIRST  READER 


"  It  is  only  the  doj^s  of  the  lioiise,"  an- 
swered  the  other. 

'^  Only  !  "  said  the  Country  Mouse.  "  I  do 
not  hke  that  music  at  my  dinner." 

Just  tlien  the  door  flew  open,  in  came  two 
huge  mastitis,  and  the  two  mice  had  to  scam- 
per away. 

"  Good-by,  Cousin,"  said  the  Country 
Mouse. 

"  What !  going  so  soon  ?  "  said  the  other. 

*'  Yes,"  he  replied.  "  Better  beans  and 
bacon  in  peace  than  cake  and  jelly  in  fear." 

—  ^Esop's  Fables. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN    CITIZENS  105 

THE   FOX   AND    THE   STORK 

At  one  time  the  Fox  and  the  Stork  were 
on  visiting;  terms  and  seemed  very  good 
friends.  So  the  Fox  invited  tlie  Stork  to 
dinner,  and  for  a  joke  put  notliing-  before  her 
but  some  soup  in  a  very  sliallow  dish.  This 
the  Fox  could  easily  lap  up,  but  the  Stork 
could  onlv  wet  the  end  of  her  lonix  bill  in  it. 
So  she  left  the  meal  as  hungry  as  when  she 
began. 

''I  am  sorry,"  said  the  Fox,  ''that  the  soup 
is  not  to  your  liking." 

"  Pray  do  not  apologize,"  said  the  Stork. 
''  I  hope  you  will  return  the  visit,  and  come 
and  dine  with  me  soon." 

So  one  day  the  Fox  visited  the  Stork.  But 
when  they  were  seated  at  table  all  that  was 
for  their  dinner  was  contained  in  a  very  long- 
necked  jar  with  a  narrow  mouth,  in  which  the 
Fox  could  not  insert  his  snout,  so  all  he  could 
manage  to  do  was  to  lick  the  outside  of  the 
jar. 


106 


A  FIRST   READER 


"  I  will  not  apologize  for  the  dinner,"  said 
the  Stork.     "  One  bad  turn  deserves  another." 

—  ^Esop's  Fables. 


THE  DONKEY  AND  THE  LOAD  OF  SALT 

A  man  and  his  donkey  were  once  traveling 
toward  a  town.      On  the  donkey's  hack  Avere 

two   heavy  bags 
of  salt. 

''Dear  me," 
thonght  the  don- 
key, "  these  bags 
are  very  heavy. 
I  wish  the  man 
had  to  carry 
them  himself." 
As  they  were  crossing  a  brook,  the  donkey 
stumbled  and  fell  into  the  water. 

When  he  got  up  again,  there  was  no  salt 
left  in  the  bags.     Do  you  know  why  ? 

Well,  it  happened  that  on  another  day  they 
had  to  cross  the  same  brook.  The  donkey 
was  again  carrying  bags  of  salt. 


FOR   NEW  A:\rERICAN   CITIZENS 


107 


Wlien  he  readied  the  middle  of  the  stream, 
he  said  to  himself:  "  I  will  fall  in  on  purpose. 
Then  I  shall  be  rid  of  the  salt  ao-aiii." 

So  he  stmiibled  and  fell  on  purpose,  and 
again  the  load  Avas  made  light.  So  iip  got 
Mr.  Donkey,  feeling  very  proud  of  himself. 

Next  day  the  man  loaded  the  donkev  with 


sponges.  "  Now,"  said  the  man,  "  we  shall 
see  abont  ^Ir.   Donkey's  triek." 

They  started  again  for  tjie  town,  and  as 
they  came  to  the  stream,  Mr.  Donkey  blinked 
his  eyes. 

"  I  will  fool  ^Ir.  ^lan  again,"  thought  he. 

So  down  he  fell  into  the  water.     But  when 


108  A  FIRST  READER 

he  got  up,  his  load  was  twice  as  heavy.     All 

the  sponges  were  full  of  water. 

So  by  trying  to  cheat  his  master,  he  only 

cheated  himself. 

—  ^sop's  Fables. 


THE   CROW    AND   THE    PITCHER 

A  thirsty  crow  flew  to  a  pitcher  which  had 
a  little  water  in  it. 

He  could  not  reach  the  Avater  with  his 
beak.  He  tried  and  he  tried  and  he  tried. 
But  he  had  to  give  it  u}). 

Then  a  thought  came  to  him.  He  took  a 
pebble  and  dropped  it  into  the  pitcher. 

Then  he  took  another  pebble  and  dropped 
it  into  the  pitcher. 

Then  he  took  another  pebble  and  dropped 
that  into  the  pitcher. 

Then  he  took  another  pebble  and  dropped 
that  in. 

Then  lie  took  another  and  dropped  that  in. 

At   last,  he  saw  the  water  rising.      So  he 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  109 

put    in   some   more  pebbles.      Then    lie    was 
able  to  drink. 

"  Little  by  little  does  the  trick." 

—  ^sop's  Fables. 


A   SONG 

There  is  ever  a  song^  somewhere,  my  dear ; 

There  is  ever  a  somethincr  sing-s  alwav : 
There's  the  song  of  the  lark  when  the  skies 
are  clear, 

And  the  song  of  the  thrush  when  the  skies 
are  gray. 
The  sunshine  showers  across  the  grain, 

And  the  bluel)ird  trills  in  the  orchard  tree ; 
And  in  and  out,  wlien  the  eaves  drip  rain, 

The  swallows  are  twittering  ceaselessly. 

There  is  ever  a  song  somewhere,  my  dear. 
Be  the  skies  above  or  dark  or  fair. 

There    is   ever   a   song   that   our  hearts   may 
hear  — 

There  is  ever  a  song  somewliere,  my  dear  — 
There  is  ever  a  song  somewhere ! 


110  A  FIRST   READER 

There  is  ever  a  song  somewhere,  my  clear, 
111  the  midnight  black,  or  the  mid-day  blue; 

The  robin  pipes  when  the  sun  is  here. 

And  the  cricket  chirrups  the   whole  night 
through. 

The  buds  may  blow,  and  the  fruit  may  grow. 
And  the  autumn  leaves  drop  crisp  and  sear ; 

But  whether  the  sun,  or  the  rain,  or  the  snow, 
There  is  ever  a  sono^  somewhere,  mv  dear. 

There  is  ever  a  song  somewhere,  my  dear, 
Be  the  skies  above  or  dark  or  fair. 

There    is    ever  a  song  that   our   hearts   may 
hear  — 

There  is  ever  a  song  somewhere,  my  dear  — 
There  is  ever  a  song  somewhere ! 

From  "  Afterwhiles^'^  hy  James  Whitcomh  Riley.  Copy- 
rif/ht,  1898.  Used  by  special  permission  of  the  publishers, 
the  Bobbs-Merrill  Company. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


111 


FATHER   IS    COMING 

The  clock  is  on  the  stroke  of  six, 

The  fatlier's  work  is  done ; 
Sweep  up  the  hearth  and  mend  the  fire, 

And  put  the  kettle  on ! 
The  wild  night  wind  is  hlowino-  cold, 
'Tis  dreary  crossinn-  o'er  the  wold. 


He's  crossing  o'er  the  wold  a^iace ; 

He's  stronger  than  the  storm ; 
He  does  not  feel  the  cold,  not  he, 


112  A   FIRST  READER 

His  heart  it  is  too  warm  : 
For  father's  heart  is  stout  and  true 
As  ever  human  bosom  knew. 

He  makes  all  toil,  all  hardship  light ; 

Would  all  men  were  the  same, 
So  ready  to  be  pleased,  so  kind, 

So  very  slow  to  blame ! 
Folks  need  not  be  unkind,  austere, 
For  love  hath  readier  will  than  fear ! 

And  we'll  do  all  that  father  likes, 

His  wishes  are  so  few ! 
Would  they  were  more !  that  every  hour 

Some  wish  of  his  I  knew ! 
I'm  sure  it  makes  a  happy  day. 
When  I  can  please  him  any  way. 

I  know  he's  coming,  by  this  sign : 

The  baby's  almost  Avild ; 
See  how  he  laughs,  and  crows,  and  stares ; 

Heaven  bless  the  merry  child ! 
He's  father's  self  in  face  and  limb. 
And  father's  heart  is  strong  in  him. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  113 

Hark  !  hark  !   I  hear  his  footsteps  now  — 

He's  through  the  garden  gate; 
Run,  httle  Bess,  and  ope  the  door, 

And  do  not  let  hun  wait  ! 
Shout,  baby,  shout,  and  chip  thy  hands ! 
For  father  on  the  threshold  stands. 

—  Mary  Howitt. 

LULLABY 

Hush  !  the  waves  are  rolling  in. 

White  with  foam,  white  with  foam ; 

Father  toils  amid  the  din ; 
But  baby  sleeps  at  home. 

Hush  !  the  Avinds  roar  hoarse  and  deep,  — 

On  they  come,  on  they  come ! 
Brother  seeks  the  wandering  sheep ; 

But  baby  sleeps  at  home. 

Hush  !  the  rain  sweeps  o'er  the  knowes, 
Where  they  roam,  where  they  roam  ; 

Sister  goes  to  seek  the  cows  ; 
But  baby  sleeps  at  home. 

—  From  the  Old  Gaelic. 


114  A  FIRST  READER 


NOBILITY 
True  worth  is  in  beiiio%  not  seemino;, 


In  doing-  each  day,  as  it  goes  by, 
Some  httle  good  —  not  in  the  dreaming 
Of  great  things  to  do  by  and  by. 
For  whatever  men  say  in  bhndness, 
And  spite  of  the  fancies  of  youth, 
There's  nothino:  so  kino-lv  as  kindness 
And  nothino-  so  roval  as  truth. 


& 


We  get  back  our  mete,  as  we  measure. 
We  can  not  do  wrono;  and  feel  rio-ht, 
Nor  can  we  give  pain  and  gain  pleasure, 
For  justice  avenges  each  slight. 
The  air  for  the  wing  of  the  sparrow. 
The  bush  for  the  robin  and  wren, 
But  always  the  path  that  is  narrow 
And  straight  for  the  children  of  men. 

'Tis  not  in  the  pages  of  story 
The  heart  of  its  -ills  to  beguile. 
Though  he  who  makes  courtship  to  glory 
Gives  all  that  he  hath  for  lier  smile. 


FOR   NEW    AMERICAN'    CITIZENS  115 

For  when  from  her  hcig'hts  lie  liatli  won  lier, 

Alas  !  it  is  only  to  })rove 

That  nothing's  so  sacred  as  honor, 

And  nothinii's  so  loval  as  love. 


iD 


We  can  not  make  bargains  for  blisses, 
Nor  catch  them  like  fishes  in  nets, 
And  sometimes  the  thing  onr  life  misses, 
Helps  more  than  the  thing  which  it  gets. 
For  good  lieth  not  in  ])ursuing 
Nor  gaining  of  great  nor  of  small, 
But  just  in  the  doing  and  doing 
As  we  would  be  done  by,  by  all. 

Through  envy,  through  malice,  through  hating. 
Against  the  world  early  and  late. 
No  jot  of  our  courage  abating, — 
Our  part  is  to  work  and  to  wait. 
And  slight  is  the  sting  of  his  trouble 
Whose  winnings  are  less  than  his  worth,. 
For  he  who  is  honest  is  noble 
Whatever  his  fortune  or  birth. 

■■ —  Alice  Gary. 


116  A  FIRST   READER 

TWILIGHT 

The  twilio'ht  is  sad  and  clondv. 
The  wmd  blows  Avihl  and  free, 
And  hke  the  wings  of  sea-birds 
Flash  the  white  caps  of  the  sea. 

But  in  the  fisherman's  cottag;© 
There  shines  a  ruddier  light, 
And  a  little  face  at  the  window 
Peers  out  into  the  night. 

Close,  close,  it  is  pressed  to  the  wind, 
As  if  those  childish  eves 
Were  looking  into  the  darkness. 
To  see  some  form  arise. 

And  a  woman's  waving  shadow 
Is  passing  to  and  fro, 
NoAv  rising-  to  the  ceilino- 
Now  bowing  and  bending  low. 

What  tale  do  the  roarino;  ocean„ 
And  the  night-wind,  bleak  and  wild. 
As  they  beat  at  the  crazy  casement, 
Tell  to  that  little  child  I 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  117 

And  wliy  do  tlie  roariiifx  ocean, 
And  the  night-wind,  wihl  and  bleak. 
As  they  beat  at  the  lieart  of  the  mother, 
Drive  the  color  from  her  cheek  I 

—  Henky  Wadswohth  Loxgfelluw. 

LEGAL    HOLIDAYS 

January  the  first  is  the  first  holiday  in  tlie 
year.  The  Americans  celebrate  this  day  as 
the  bejxinninp;  of  the  New  Year. 

LINCOLN'S   BIRTHDAY.     1809-1865 
February  the  twelfth 

Abraham  Lincoln  was  the  President  of  the 
United  States  dnrino-  tlie  Civil  AVar.  This 
war  lasted  for  four  years,  from  18(31  to  18G5. 
Some  of  the  southern  states  wanted  to  leave 
the  Union.  The  other  states  would  not  let 
them  do  so.  This  brouo-ht  about  a  very  lono- 
and  dreadful  war  in  which  the  people  of  the 
southern  states  fought  ag-ainst  the  people  of 
the  northern  states.  During  the  war  President 
Lincoln  set  the  negroes  free.     The  war  lasted 


118  A  FIRST   READER 

four   long  years.      President    Lincoln   served 
his    country    A^ery    nobly.     This   was   a   very 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN 

trying  time  for  the  country,  for  if  the  South 
had  won,  the  Union  would  have  been  broken. 
But   the   South  did   not   win,  and   the  Union 


FOK   NEW   AMEKICAX   CITIZENS  111) 

was  preserved.  Towards  the  end  of  the  war 
President  Lincohi  was  shot  bj  a  man  named 
Booth,  while  attending  the  theater.  The 
President  was  j^reatly  mourned  bv  the  whole 
nation. 

We  celebrate  his  birthday  on  the  twelfth 
of  February. 

Abraham  Lincoln's  heart  Avas  as  great  as 
the  world,  but  there  was  no  room  in  it  for  the 
memory  of  a  wrong.  —  R.  W.  ExMerson. 

WASHINGTON'S   BIRTHDAY.     1732-1799 

Februaiy  the  twenty-second 

On  this  day  we  do  honor  to  George  Wash- 
ington, the  "  Father  of  his  Country."  He 
was  the  first  President  of  the  United  States. 
He  was  born  in  Yiroinia  on  the  twenty- 
second  of  February,  17o2.  He  served  his 
country  in  two  wars  and  helped  to  free  this 
country  from  England.  After  this  country 
was  freed  he  worked  hard  to  build  up  a 
glorious  republic. 


120  A   FIRST   READER 

George  Washington  was  a   man    of  good 
principles   and   liigli  ideals.      It   was   said  of 


GEORGE   WASHINGTON 


liini  that  he  Avas  "  first  in  peace,  first  in  war, 
and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen." 


FOR   NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  121 

DECORATION   DAY 

We  call  the  thirtieth  of  May  "  Decoration 
Day,"  because  on  that  day  we  do  honor  to 
the  dead  by  placing  flowers  on  the  graves 
of  our  brave  soldiers.  These  brave  men  lost 
their  lives  fighting  for  their  country,  therefore 
^ye  should  honor  their  memory.  Prayers  are 
said  in  most  of  the  churches  in  the  country. 

We  join  ourselves  to  no  party  that  does 
not  carry  the  flag  and  keep  step  to  the  music 
of  the  Union.  —  Rufus  Choate. 

The  Blue  and  the  Gray 

From  the  silence  of  sorrowful  hours, 
The  desolate  mourners  go, 
Lovingly  laden  with  flowers. 
Alike  for  the  friend  and  the  foe :  — 
Under  the  sod  and  the  dew, 
Waiting  the  judgment  day, 
Under  the  roses,  the  Blue, 
Under  the  lilies,  the  Gray. 


122  A   FIRST   READER 

No  more  shall  the  Avar-cry  sever, 

Or  the  winding  rivers  be  red ; 

They  banish  our  anger  forever, 

When  they  laurel  the  graves  of  our  dead ! 

Under  the  sod  and  the  dew, 

Waiting  the  judgment  day; 

Love  and  tears  for  the  Blue, 

Tears  and  love  for  the  Gray. 

—  Fkancis  M.  Finch. 

"FOURTH   OF   JULY" 

At  one  time  the  United  States  was  called 
the  ''  Thirteen  Colonies."  These  colonies  be- 
lono;ed  to  Eno-land.  The  colonies  did  not 
like  the  English  rule  because  England  would 
not  give  them  enough  freedom.  She  would 
not  let  the  colonies  send  things  that  they  had 
made  to  other  countries,  and  she  made  tlie  taxes 
too  high.  The  colonies  wanted  a  voice  in  the 
government ;  that  is,  they  wanted  to  send 
men  over  from  America  to  England  to  repre- 
sent them.  England  would  not  grant  this 
to  the   colonies,  so  they  declared  war.     The 


FOR  KiiW  AMERICAX   CITIZENS  123 

colonists  signed  a  paper  declaring  themselves 
independent  of  England.  This  paper  was 
called  the  ''  Declaration  of  Independence," 
and  was  written  hj  Thomas  Jefterson.  At 
a  meeting  held  Jnly  4,  177(3,  the  men  that 
represented  the  colonists  signed  it. 

Then  this  conntry  fought  a  long  war  with 
England.  After  eight  years  of  figliting  the 
colonists  won.  Then  they  called  their  coun- 
try the  United  States.  Everv  year  on  the 
Fourth  of  fJuly  we  celebrate  tlie  sip:nint2:  of 
the  "  Declaration  of  Indej^endence." 

Be  just,  and  fear  not ; 

Let  all  the  ends  tliou  aimest  at  be  thy  country's, 

Thy  God's,  and  truth's.  —Shakespeare. 

COLUMBUS   DAY 

October  the  twelfth 

We  haye  a  holiday  on  October  the  twelfth. 
Why  I  Because  Columbus  landed  in  America 
on  that  day.  Spain  sent  Columbus  out  to 
find  a  shorter  way  to  the  Indies.     He  did  not 


124 


A   FIRST   EEADER 


reach  the  Indies.    He  found  a  new  land.    This 
land  was  afterwards  called  America. 

Colunil)us  was  born  in  Genoa,  Italy.     He 


CHRISTOPHER    COLUMr-.US 

was  a  sailor.  ISpain  g-ave  him  three  ships, 
called  the  Nina,  Pin  fa,  and  Santa  Maria. 
Columbus  and  his  crew  had  a  very  stormy 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  125 

voyage.  The  sailors  wanted  to  turn  back, 
but  Columbus  would  not  yield.  He  kept 
on,  saying,  "  With  the  help  of  God,  we  will 
succeed." 

On  a  bright  day  in  October  they  saw  land. 
They  landed  October  12,  1492,  and  raised 
the  flag  of  Spain. 

Columbus 

Behind  him  lay  the  gray  Azores, 

Behind  him  the  gates  of  Hercules  ; 
Before  him  not  the  ghost  of  shores. 

Before  him  only  shoreless  seas. 
The  good  mate  said,  "  Now  we  must  pray. 

For,  lo  !  the  very  stars  are  gone. 
Brave  Admiral,  speak;  what  shall  I  say  ?  " 

"  Why,  say  :   '  Sail  on !  sail  on !  and  on ! '  " 

"  My  men  grow  mutinous  day  by  day  ; 

My  men  grow  ghastly  wan  and  weak." 
The  stout  mate  thought  of  home  ;   a  spray 

Of  salt  wave  washed  his  swarthy  cheek. 


12G  A   FIRST   KEADEK 

*'  What  shall  I  say,  brave  Admiral,  say, 
Tf  we  si<2:lit  iiauMit  but  seas  at  dawn  I  " 

"  Why,  you  sliall  say,  at  break  of  day  : 
'  Sail  on  !  sail  on  !   sail  on  !   and  on  ! ' " 


They  sailed  and  sailed,  as  winds  might  blow, 

Until  at  last  the  l)lanclied  mate  said, 
"  Why,  now  not  even  God  would  know 

Should  I  and  all  my  mates  fall  dead. 
These  very  winds  forget  their  Avay, 

For  God  from  these  dread  seas  is  gone. 
Now  speak,  brave  Admiral ;  speak  and  say —  " 

He  said,  "  Sail  on  !   sail  on  !   and  on  !  " 

They  sailed.     They  sailed.     Then  spake  the 
mate ! 

''  This  mad  sea  shows  his  teeth  to-night ; 
He  curls  his  lip,  he  lies  in  wait, 

With  lifted  teeth  as  if  to  bite ! 
Brave  Admiral,  say  but  one  good  word ; 

What  shall  we  do  when  hope  is  gone  1 " 
The  words  leapt  as  a  leaping  sword : 

■'  Sail  on!  sail  on  !  sail  on  !  and  on !  " 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  .     127 

Tlicii,  pale  and  Avorn,  lie  ke})t  liis  deck 

And    peered    throngli    the    darkness.      Ah, 
that  night 

Of  all  dark  nio-hts  !     And  then  a  speck  — 
A  lio-ht !  a  lio-ht !  a  lio-ht !  a  lio-lit ! 

O  O  O  c~i 

It  grew,  a  starlit  flag  unfurled ! 

It  o-rew  to  be  Time's  burst  of  dawn. 

He  gained  a  world ;  he  gave  that  world 

Its  greatest  lesson  :  "  On !  sail  on !  " 

- — Joaquin  Miller. 

From  Joaquin  3 filler's  Poems^  copyrighted  1897  by  the 
Whitaker  Jf  Ray  Co. 

ELECTION   DAY 

Election  day  is  the  first  Tuesday  after  the 
first  Monday  in  Noveml  )er,  and  is  a  legal  holi- 
day. On  this  day  the  people  elect  the  dif- 
ferent officers  to  o-overn  them.  We  elect  a 
President  every  four  years.  A  governor  is 
elected  every  two  years.  Every  good  citizen 
should  take  an  interest  in  Election  Day.  It 
is  our  duty  to  see  that  the  best  men  are 
chosen  to  represent  the  people. 


128  A   FIRST   READER 

THAKKSGIVING   DAY 

The  fourth  Thursday  in  November  is  al- 
ways Thanksgiving  Day.  Each  state  sets 
this  day  aside  to  give  thanks  to  God  for  his 
blessings. 

Many  years  ago  the  first  settlers  came  to 
America.  The  winter  was  very  cold,  and 
many  people  died.  But  when  spring  came 
the  settlers  planted  grain  and  vegetables. 
The  summer  was  warm  and  there  was  plenty 
of  rain.  In  the  foil  the  fruits  and  grain 
ripened.  The  pcoi)le  were  very  glad  and 
thankful.  They  wanted  to  thank  God  for  his 
goodness  and  thought  they  would  make  a 
feast.  They  invited  the  Indians  to  their 
feast.  Ever  since  then  the  people  in  America 
give  thanks  to  God  on  Thanksgiving  Day. 

CHRISTMAS 

Christmas  is  the  time  of  the  year  when  a 
kindly  spirit  should  prevail.  We  should  have 
thoughts  of  doing  for  and  giving  to  others. 

The  children  have  been  tauirht  that  Santa 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  129 

Claus   will    come    down    the    eliininey    laden 
with  presents  for  them. 

Many  a  child  has  grown  up  with  the  idea 
that  each  Christmas  Santa  Claus  has  filled 
his  stocking.  He  is  supposed  to  come  with 
his  sleigh  and  reindeers  each  Christmas  Eve. 


How  many  children  lie  awake  until  mid- 
night on  Christmas  eve  in  the  hope  of  catch- 
ing a  tinkle  of  Santa's  bells  and  a  peep  at 
the  fat  old  fellow  coming  down  the  chimney ! 


Thank  God  every  morning  when  you  get 
up  that  you  have  something  to  do  that  day 


130  A   FIRST   READER 

Avliicli  must  be   done  whether  you  hke  it  or 
not. 

Bemg  forced  to  work  and  forced  to  do 
your  best  will  breed  in  you  temperance  and 
self-control,  dihgence  and  strength  of  will, 
cheerfulness  and  content,  and  a  hundred 
virtues  which  the  idle  never  know. 

—  Charles  Kingsley. 

UNDER  THE  HOLLY  BOUGH 

Ye  who  have  scorned  each  other, 
Or  injured  friend  or  brother, 

In  this  fast  fading  year ; 
Ye  who,  by  word  or  deed, 
Have  made  a  kind  heart  bleed. 

Come  gather  here. 

Let  sinned  against,  and  sinning. 
Forget  their  strife's  beginning, 

And  join  in  friendship  now: 
Be  links  now  longer  broken. 
Be  sweet  forgiveness  spoken. 

Under  the  Holly  Bough. 


FUR   NEW   AMERICAN    CITIZENS  131 

Ye  who  have  h^ved  each  other, 
'Sister  and  friend  and  l)rother, 

In  tliis  last  fading  year ; 
IMother  and  sire  and  cliikl, 
Youno'  man  and  maiden  mild. 

Come  gather  here ; 

And  let  your  hearts  grow  fonder, 
As  memory  shall  ponder 

Each  past  nnbroken  vow. 
Old  loves  and  younger  wooing 
Are  sweet  in  the  rent?wing, 

Under  the  Holly  Bough. 

Ye  who  have  nourished  sadness, 
Estranged  from  hope  and  gladness, 

In  this  fast  lading  year; 
Ye,  with  o'erhurdened  mind, 
Made  aliens  from  your  kind. 

Come  p-ather  here. 

Let  not  the  useless  sorrow 
Pursue  you  night  and  morrow. 
If  e'er  you  hoped,  hope  now,  — 


132 


A  FIRST   READER 


Take  heart,  —  iincloud  your  faces, 
And  join  in  our  embraces, 
Under  the  Holly  Bough. 

—  Charles  Mackay. 


THE   FIRST   STEAMBOAT 

Now    we    come    from    Europe     in    large 
steamships.     Years  ago  people  came  over  in 


THE    '-CLERMONT"    ON   THE   HUDSON 

sailing  vessels.     The  trip  used  to  take  many 
weeks.     To-day  it  takes  only  a  few  days. 

Robert  Fulton  built  the  first  steamboat.  It 
was  built  in  New  York.  He  called  it  the 
Clermont.      In    those    days    people    did   not 


FOR  NEW  A:MERICAN    citizens  133 

think  a  boat  could  be  run  l)v  steam.  Some 
people  were  afraid  of  the  CJermont.  They 
did  not  like  the  fire  and  smoke.  But  they 
soon  became  used  to  the  Clermoiit.  Her  first 
voyage  Avas  from  New  York  to  Albany. 

TEIE    FAMILY 

In  a  family  tliere  should  l)e  love  and  sym- 
pathy. Each  one  should  be  interested  in  the 
affairs  of  the  others,  and  each  one  should  help 
the  others  as  much  as  possible.  Good  strong 
families  will  help  to  strengthen  a  nation.  A 
good  father  and  luisband  is  usually  a  good 
citizen.  A  good  father  will  always  teach  his 
children  to  be  obedient  to  their  mother.  He 
will  also  see  that  they  obey  their  teacher. 

A  father  should  make  his  son  ambitious. 
He  should  set  a  good  example  for  his  son  to 
follow.  Every  church  thinks  it  important 
that  the  home  should  be  sacred. 

If  you  would  be  wealthy,  think  of  saving  as 
well  as  of  o-ettino;. 


134 


A   FIRST   READER 


THE    NATION 

A  nation  is  a  body  of  people  under  one 
political  control.  A  nation  need  not  be  made 
up  of  one  race  of  people.  It  may  be  made 
up  of  many  races  that  are  united  under 
one   govermnent.      The   United   States   is   an 


CONGRESSIONAL   LIBRARY,  WASHINGTON 

example  of  this,  for  the  people  of  the  United 
States  come  from  all  over  the  world. 

It  is  good  for  people  to  live  together  as  a 
nation.  They  get  more  freedom  than  they 
would  otherwise  have.  They  get  better  pro- 
tection.    People  living  together  need  laws  to 


VOR   XEW   A.MEKICAX    CITIZEXS  i;35 

govern  tliein.  These  laws  are  made  to  l)enefit 
the  greatest  luiinber  of  people,  and  they  pre- 
vent a  few  from  taking-  the  rio:hts  from  the 
majority. 

When  a  nation  is  properly  organized,  it 
gives  a  great  deal  of  personal  lil)erty  to  the 
people  wlio  wish  to  do  the  right  thing,  and 
takes  away  personal  lil)erty  from  people  wdio 
wish  to  do  tlie  wrong  tiling. 

Om'  policemen  protect  the  riglits  of  the 
people.  They  do  not  allow  any  one  to  do 
things  that  are  bad  for  tlie  general  public.  If 
a  man  wishes  to  drive  his  horse  in  the  middle 
of  the  road,  the  policeman  stops  him.  AVhy '? 
The  law  says  all  wagons  going  one  way 
should  go  on  the  same  side  of  the  street. 
This  is  to  prevent  collision.  The  law  says 
that  a  man  can  not  drive  an  automobile 
through  a  crowded  street  at  a  high  speed. 
This  law  does  not  take  awav  the  rio-hts  of 
the  people,  but  only  restricts  one  man's  wishes 
for  the  benefit  of  many  men.  Good  laws  are 
made  for  the  benefit  of  the  majority.     Good 


136 


A   FIRST   READER 


laws  are  not  made  for  tlie  benefit  of  a  fe^Y,  if 
their  freedom  would  make  the  majority  suffer. 
We  thus  see  that  good  laws  do  not  take  away 
the  rights  of  the  people.  They  give  us  more 
rights. 


SCHOOLROOM    WITH    PUPILS 


I  Our  schools  help  to  bring  the  different 
nationalities  together  by  giving  them  a  com- 
mon interest.  The  school  strengthens  a 
nation,  for  good  schools  make  good  men  and 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  137 

women,  and  good  men   and  women   make  a 
good  nation. 

Who  is  the  President  of  the  United  States  ? 


THE    UNITED   STATES    MINT   AT    PHILADELPHIA 

Tiie  true   grandeur   of  nations   is   in   those 

quaUties  whieh   constitute  the  true  greatness 

of  the  individual. 

—  Charles  Sumner. 


THP]    STATES 

When  the  first  settlers  came  to  America, 
they  made  settlements  along  the  eastern  coast. 
Several  such  settlements  were  called  a  colonv. 
In  1775  there  were  thirteen  colonies.  These 
colonies   belonged    to   England.     The  people 


138  A   FIRST   READER 

ill  the  colonies  did  not  think  Eno4and  was 
treating  them  fairly.  A  war  was  begun  in 
1775  wliich  lasted  eight  years.  The  people 
in  the  colonies  won,  and  thus  they  were  freed 
from  E no-land. 

These  thirteen  colonies  became  thirteen 
states,  and  these  thirteen  states  called  them- 
selves the  United  States.  Each  state  has  its 
own  constitution  and  its  own  laws.  Laws 
made  by  one  state  do  not  hold  in  another 
state. 

Each  state  has  a  great  deal  of  lilierty.  It 
can  make  laws  to  suit  its  own  people  and  its 
own  conditions.  No  state  can  make  a  law  in 
direct  violation  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States.  When  the  state  commands  us 
to  do  or  not  to  do  anything,  we  call  the  com- 
mand a  law. 

Who  is  the  Governor  of  your  state  1 

The  love  of  my  country  will  be  the  ruling 

influence  of  my  conduct. 

—  Washington. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


139 


WHY   THIS   IS   A   GOOD    GOVERNMENT 

Some  of  the  Ibiiiid- 
ers  of  our  government 
were  George  Washing- 
ton, Thomas  Jefierson, 
Alexander  Hamilton, 
and  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin. They  were  all 
very  hia'h-minded  and 
upright  men,  and  they 
had  studied  the  good 
and    the    bad    in    the        ,,^^_,^^^  ,r..,„^^., 

ALEXANDER   HAMILTON 

different     governments 
of  Europe. 

This  government  was 
founded  to  give  the 
people  liberty,  but  not 
liberty  for  each  one  to 
do  as  he  wished,  for 
bv  doino-  that  no  one 
would  have  true  liberty. 
THOMAS  JEFFERSON  The  govemmeut  was 


140 


A    FIRST   READER 


founded  with  the  idea  of  giving  each  person 
enough  freedom  to  reach  his  highest  develop- 
\  ment.     Every  man  has  a  right  to  education. 
Schools  were  founded.    Newspapers  were  pub- 
hshed.      Libraries    were    opened.      All    these 


NEW   YORK    CUSTOM    HOUSE 

things  were  done  to  educate  the  people. 
Laws  were  made  to  i)rotect  the  rights  of  the 
people.  Liberty  of  speech  and  liberty  of  the 
press  were  established.  The  best  men  were 
chosen  to  manao:e  tlie  o-overnment. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  141 

These  men  considered  every  form  of  gov- 
ernment. They  decided  of  their  own  free  will 
that  a  republic  would  be  best  for  the  majority 
of  the  people.  They  believed  that  this  gov- 
ernment would  make  a  strong,  rich  nation,  and 
they  judged  rightly.  From  tlie  thirteen  origi- 
nal states,  the  United  States  has  increased  to 
forty-six.  The  United  States  is  a  great  power 
among  the  nations,  and  protects  its  citizens 
at  home  and  abroad. 


CITY   GOVERNMENT 
THE   MAYOR 

The  head  of  the  city  is  called  the  ]\Iayor. 
He  is  elected  by  the  people.  His  term  is 
usually  two  years.  The  Mayor  appoints  a 
number  of  city  officers.  He  has  the  power  to 
veto  resolutions  of  the  Common  Council  and 
ordinances  made  by  Commissioners.  He  is 
also  charged  with  general  supervision  over  all 
the  departments  of  the  city.  Among  his 
many  other    duties    he    has   the    granting   of 


142  A   FIRST   READER 

permits.  At  the  beginning  of  the  year  the 
Mayor  gives  to  the  Common  Council  a  report 
of  the  condition  of  affairs  throughout  the  city. 
At  the  head  of  the  nation  is  the  President. 
The  Governor  is  at  the  head  of  the  state.  The 
Mayor  hokls  the  same  position  in  the  city. 

Who  is  your  Mayor  ? 

THE   CO^VIMOX    COUNCIL 

The  members  of  the  Conmion  Council  have 
manv  duties  to  perform.  Thev  work  in  con- 
junction  with  the  IMayor.  As  this  body  of 
men  has  so  many  duties,  it  is  divided  into 
committees.  Each  committee  attends  to  its 
own  duties.  Some  of  the  duties  are  the  con- 
trol of  the  finances  and  proposals  of  the  city, 
the  prevention  of  vice  and  immorality,  and 
the  preservation  of  peace  and  good  order. 
This  Council  licenses  cartmen,  porters,  cab- 
men, and  other  people.  It  regulates  weights 
and  measures.  It  regulates  the  maimer  of 
building  houses. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  143 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  many  duties  of 
this  committee.  It  is  very  important  that  we 
select  wise,  honest  men  to  do  these  things  for 

the  city. 

./ 

Who  is  the  alderman  in  your  ward  ? 

THE   POLICE   DEPART.^[ENT 

The  policemen  are  a  very  necessary  part  of 
our  city  government.  They  help  to  protect 
us.  They  help  to  preserve  order. 
The  policeman  is  indeed  "a  frientl 
in  need."  If  a  person  wishes  in- 
formation about  the  location  of 
a  street,  he  asks  tlie  policenum. 
When  a  child  is  lost,  the  police- 
man takes  it  to  its  parents. 

If  a  lire  breaks  out  at  night,  he 
is  on  duty  to  send  in  the  alarm. 
If  a  careless  clerk  leaves  the  door 
of  a  store  open,  he  guards  the 
store  during  the  night.  Reckless  automo- 
bilists,  who  endanger  the  lives  of  the  pubhc, 
are  arrested  bv  the  police. 


^^^ 


PRECINCT 
PATROLMAN 


144  A   FIRST   HEADER 

When  the  people  are  injured  and  need  to 
be  taken  to  the  hospital,  the  police  attend 
to  it. 

Many  people  are  found  in  the  street  sick 
and  in  distress.  The  police  attend  to  them 
and  see  that  they  have  food  and  shelter. 


MOUNTED   TRAFFIC   SERGEANT 

We  should  be  grateful  toward  this  body  of 
men.  They  are  brave,  watchful,  and  helpful. 
They  are  exposed  to  both  heat  and  cold,  rain 
and  snow,  and  are  sometimes  in  danger  of 
losing  their  lives.  Many  policemen  have  been 
killed  while  trvinii;  to  do  their  dutv. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  145 

THE  BOARD   OF  HEALTH 

The  Board  of  Health  is  a  veiy  necessary 
part  of  the  city's  government.       This  Board 


l>i sitifvviiiKj  Coinjiaiiy 


FUMIGATING   A   ROOM 

attends  to  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  city. 
All  contagions  diseases  are  reported  to  the 
office  of  this  Board.     The  Health  Officer  qnar- 


146  A    FIllST   READER 

antines  a  house  where  a  contagious  disease  is 
found.  The  same  officer  fumigates  the  house 
after  the  patient  is  Avell. 

This  department  sees  that  no  garbage,  rub- 
bish, and  dirt  are  thrown  into  the  streets. 

The  condition  of  buikhngs  is  looked  after 
by  this  department. 

Adulterated  food  and  diseased  and  infected 
foods  are  carefully  watclied  for  by  officers  of 
the  Board  of  Health.  All  thhio-s  dano-erous 
to  human  life  are  given  their  attention. 

The  milk  of  the  city  is  very  carefully  in- 
spected. The  dairies  from  which  the  milk 
comes  have  close  supervision  by  the  Health 
Inspectors. 

THE   CITY   HOSPITAL 

The  City  Hospital  is  under  the  direction  of 
the  Health  Board.  Patients  that  are  poor 
can  be  sent  to  the  City  Hospital  free  of  charge. 

If  any  accident  occurs  and  a  person  is  hurt, 
a  call  is  at  once  sent  in  for  the  ambulance. 
In  the  ambulance  is  an  atten(hmt  wlio  takes 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


147 


VISITING    DAY    IN    A    HOSPITAL 


148  A  FIRST   READER 

care  of  the  injured  person,  who  Ls  at  once 
taken  to  the  hospital. 

If  a  person  has  a  contagious  disease,  he  is 
isohited  in  a  ward  that  is  used  only  for  conta- 
gious diseases. 

The  best  of  medical  care  and  attention  will 
be  found  at  the  hospital. 

In  each  hospital  a  doctor  is  in  constant  at- 
tendance. He  is  called  the  House  Physician. 
Other  doctors  visit  the  hospital  daily.  Nurses 
are  always  on  duty  to  attend  to  the  needs  of 
the  patients. 

CONSUMPTION 

Many  things  are  being  done  in  this  country 
to  get  rid  of  this  dread  disease.  Homes  have 
been  built  for  people  who  have  consumption, 
so  that  poor  people  who  have  this  disease 
can  be  cared  for  free  of  expense.  The  whole 
country  is  helping  in  this  wonderful  movement. 

In  a  few  years  we  shall  have  uprooted  this 
dire  disease.  Millions  and  millions  of  dollars 
are  being  spent  to  teach  people  how  to  avoid 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN    CITIZENS  149 

consumption,  and  to  build  hospitals  to  care 
for  those  who  are  already  ill.  Everybody  is 
o-ivino:  a  little  to  heb)  this  ^ood  cause.  The 
school  children  are  also  giving-  their  help. 
People  who  have  this  disease  are  taken  out 
of  their  homes  and  are  placed  in  hospitals 
where  they  can  get  pure,  fresh  air,  nourishing 
food,  and  proper  medicine. 

Consumption  is  spread  by  careless  spitting. 
It  is  our  duty  to  l)e  careful  not  to  spit  in 
public  places.  And  we  should  avoid  this 
diso'ustino;  habit  in  our  homes. 

A    LITTLE    CRIPPLED    GIRL 

"  Mary,  did  you  go  to  the  dispensary 
to-day  ? " 

^'  Yes,  mother,  I  went  to  the  dispensary. 
The  doctor  said  he  thouo'ht  it  would  be  nee- 
essary  to  perform  an  operation  upon  my  foot. 
He  wants  you  to  take  me  to  the  hospital. 
There  is  to  be  a  clinic  there  on  Tuesday. 
They  are  to  examine  patients  that  have  tu- 
berculosis of  the  foot.      The  doctor  said  that 


150  A  FIRST   READER 

a  specialist  on  that  disease  will  l)e  there  and 
he  Avill  examine  me.  There  will  be  twenty 
doctors  and  ten  nm-ses  in  the  room." 

"  Don't  you  thhik  that  you  will  be  fright- 
ened, my  dear  i  1  am  afraid  that  seeing  so 
many  people  will  make  you  nervous." 

"  No,  mother,  I  shall  not  get  nervous.  The 
doctor  said  that  they  would  be  very  kind  to 
me.  I  have  been  to  the  hospital  before.  It 
is  very  nice  and  clean  there.  In  tlie  room 
where  they  hold  the  clinic  there  is  a  long 
operating  table.  There  are  many  chairs 
where  the  doctors  sit. 

^'  T  like  to  go  to  the  hospital  and  see  all  the 
nice  white  beds  and  the  nurses  with  their 
white  caps  and  aprons  on.  Mother,  some 
day,  when  I  am  grown  up,  I  think  I  will 
study  to  be  a  nurse." 

HOW   A    CITY   RAISES   MONEY 

We  hear  men  sav,  "  Taxes  are  too  hio:h." 
We  see  men  trying  to  get  out  of  paying  their 
poll  taxes.     Is  this  right '?     How  are  we  to 


FOR   NEW  AMERICAN    CITIZENS 


151 


have  a  clean,  well-kept  city  if  each  one  does 
not  help  to  pay  for  it  I  AVhat  helps  to  make  a 
good  city  I  Not  only  fine  buildino-s,  but  good 
police  and  lire  departments,  good  street  and 
water  departments,  good  schools,  good  libra- 
ries. How  are  we  to  pay  for  all  these  things  ? 
We  pay  for  these  things  Avhen  we  pay  our 
taxes. 


THE   FIRE    DEPARTMENT    OF    A    CITY 


Every  handet,  ^•illage,  town,  or  city  needs 
a  fire  department.  The  larger  the  city,  the 
better  the  fire  department  should  be. 


152 


A   FIRST   READER 


The  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners  man- 
ages tlie  Fire  Department.  Many  cities  are 
equipped  with  all  new  devices  for  putting 
out  hres,  such  as  automobile  engines  with 
rubber   tires,    Avater   towers,    etc.       Chemical 


engines,  which  force  a  preparation  upon  the 
fire,  are  now  in  use.  To  serve  well  in  this 
department  a  man  must  be  brave.  Firemen 
are  riskino:  their  lives  daily  when  they  ascend 
the  high  buildings. 

A  severe  penalty  is  imposed  by  law  upon 


FOE   NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  153 

any  person  who  is  convicted  of  willfully  send- 
ino-  in  a  false  alarm  of  tire. 

There  is  a  law  compelling"  pe()})le  to  keep 
the  fire  escapes  free  from  ruhbish. 

Fire  Insurance  companies  insure  people 
from  loss  by  fire  or  water. 

Many  men  are  em})l()yed  by  the  city  to  be 
in  constant  readiness  for  any  fire,  day  or  night. 

THE    lUlAllD    OF    EDUCATION 

The  members  of  this  Board  have  many  im- 
portant duties  to  do.  Tliey  have  entire 
charo-e  of  the  citv  schools.     Teachers  are  ai:>- 

O  •'  -I- 

pointed  by  this  Board. 

Schoolhouses  are  built  by  this  committee. 
The  entire  education  of  our  children  is  in  the 
hands  of  the  members  of  this  Board.  Here, 
as  well  as  in  other  Boards,  we  need  the  sery- 
ice  of  our  best  citizens. 

Hio-h-minded  and  intellia'cnt  men  are  needed 
to  attend  to  these  duties. 

Besides  the  re^'ular  elementary  schools, 
hio^h  schools,  and  colleo-es,  there  are  industrial 


154 


A    FIRST   READER 


A   PUBLIC  SCHOOL   BUILDING 


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BASKET   WEAVING    IN   A   VACATION    SCHOOL 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN    CITIZENS 


155 


schools  throughout  the  country.  These  schools 
teach  the  ditierent  trades.  The  mdustrial 
schools  teach  manufacturmg,  carpentry,  cab- 
inetmaking,  plumbing,  dressmaking,  millineiy. 


and  cooking. 


OUR    MAIL    SYSTEM 

] 


I'OSTAL   CARDS    AND   LETTERS 

Postal  cards  should  he  used  only  when  the 
business  is  not  private.  In  using  postal  cards, 
the  date  may  be  written  in  the  upper  right- 


156 


A   FIRST   EEADER 


hand  corner  or  in  the  lower  left-liand  corner. 
The  name  of  the  writer  should  be  followed  by 
the  writer's  address.  The  address  should  be 
written  plainly. 

In  addressing  letters  or  any  mail  matter  use 
ink.  Write  plainly  the  name  of  the  person 
addressed,  street  and  number,  post  ofHce  and 
state. 

If  you  follow  the  form  shown  below  and  if 
the  letter  or  other  piece  of  mail  matter  is  not 
deliyered,  it  will  be  returned  to  you. 


After Days  Uetirn  to 

JAMES   A.   JOXKS, 

452  First  Street, 

STAMP 

BiNGHAMPTOX,    N.Y. 

Me. 

Wm.   a.  Smith, 
245  Bank  Street, 

Newark,  N.J. 

Last  year  more  than  thirteen  million  })ieces 
of  mail  matter  were  sent  to  the  Diyision  of 
Dead    Letters,   a   larg-e    proportion   of  which 


FOR   NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


157 


could  not  be  delivered  because  of  carelessness 
in  writing  addresses. 


SPECIAL   DELIVERY   OF   LETTERS 

A    special    delivery    stamp,    or   ten    cents' 
worth  of  ordinary  stamps,  in  addition  to  the 


.;ST   OFFICE,    CHICAGO 


lawful  postage,  secures  the  innnediate  deliv- 
ery of  any  piece  of  mail  matter  at  any  United 
States  post  office  within  the  letter-carrier 
limits  of  a  city  delivery  office  and  within  a 
mile  limit   of  any   other  post  office.     When 


158  A  FIRST   READER 

ordinary  stamps  are  used  to  obtain  immediate 
delivery  of  mail,  the  Avords  ''  Special  Deliv- 
.  ery "  must  be  written  or  printed  on  the  en- 
velope or  covering. 

If  special  delivery  matter  fails  of  delivery 
because  there  is  no  person  at  the  place  of 
address  to  receive  it,  the  matter  is  returned 
to  the  post  othce  and  delivered  in  the  ordi- 
nary mail. 

A  special  delivery  stamp  does  not  give  a 
piece  of  mail  matter  any  other  security  than 
that  given  to  ordinary  mail  matter. 

REGISTERED   :\[AIL 

Letters  can  be  registered  to  any  city  in  the 
world.  If  a  letter  is  registered,  it  insures  its 
safe  delivery.  If  a  registered  letter  is  lost,  an 
indemnity  of  twenty-five  dollars  (•$  25)  is  paid 
by  the  United  States  Post  Office.  All  valu- 
able letters  or  packages  should  be  registered. 
The  registry  fee  is  eight  cents  for  each  sepa- 
rate letter  or  parcel,  in  addition  to  the 
postage. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


159 


When  a  piece  of  mail  matter  is  registered, 
a  receipt  is  given  to  the  person  that  registers 
it.  Registered  mail  should  not  be  dropped  in 
the  ordinary  mail  boxes. 


BENJAMIN   FRANKLIN 

One  of  the  foremost  men  in  Revolutionary 
times  was  Benjamin  Franklin.  Franklin  was 
born  in  Boston, 
April  the  seven- 
teenth, 170(.).  He 
did  not  have  a 
very  good  chance 
for  a  school  edu- 
cation, for  he  left 
school  when  he 
was  ten  years  old. 
He  was  appren- 
ticed to  his  brother, 
who  was  a  printer. 
While  wdrking  in 
the  printing  office,  he  found  time  to  do  a 
great  deal  of  reading.     By  his  oavu  eftbrts  he 


BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN 


160  A   FIRST    KEADEE, 

educated  himself  extensively.  He  was  a  deep 
thinker  and  had  a  very  inventive  mind. 

Franklin  published  an  almanac  called 
"  Poor  riichard's  Almanac,"  wliicli  was  trans- 
lated into  eighteen  lang-uages.  He  worked 
hard  and  was  careful  not  to  waste  any  time. 
He  wrote  a  great  deal ;  some  of  Ins  writings 
are  on  science  and  political  economy.  One 
of  his  most  interesting  works  is  the  story  of 
his  own  life. 

He  was  the  first  minister  sent  by  tlie  United 
States  to  France.  He  helped  the  United 
States  by  persuading  France  to  send  money 
and  also  soldiers  to  serve  in  the  Eevolutionarv 
A^  ar.  Wherever  he  went  he  was  respected 
and  admired.  j\Ianv  of  the  o-reat  statesmen 
of  Europe  were  proud  to  be  known  as  his 
friends.  In  his  own  city  he  founded  a 
famous  school  for  boys,  which  is  now  a  great 
university ;  and  he  started  the  first  public 
library  in  the  United  States.  Bancroft,  the 
great  American  historian,  says :  "  Franklin 
was  the  greatest  diplomat  of  the  eighteenth 


FOR  XEW  AMERICA]^   CITIZE:N^S  161 

century.  He  never  spoke  a  word  too  soon ; 
he  never  spoke  a  word  too  late ;  lie  never 
failed  to  speak  the  right  word  in  the  right 
place." 

EXTRACTS     FROM     "POOR     RICHARD'S 
ALMAXAC " 

Early  to  bed,  early  to  rise,  makes  a  man 
healthy,  wealthy,  and  wise. 

God  gives  all  things  to  industry. 

One  to-day  is  worth  two  tomorrows. 

Never  leave  that  till  to-morrow  which  you 
can  do  to-day. 

When  you  speak  to  a  man,  look  on  his 
eyes ;  when  he  speaks  to  thee,  look  on  his 
mouth. 

Observe  all  men,  tliyself  most. 

Great  talkers,  little  doers. 

Be  neither  sillv,  nor  cunnino-  but  wise. 

Pay  what  you  owe.,  and  you  will  know 
what  you  own. 

If  thou  hast  wit  and  learning,  add  to  it 
wisdom  and  modesty. 


162  A   FIRST   READER 

TURNING   THE    GRINDSTONE 

When  I  was  a  little  boy,  I  remember  one 
cold  winter's  morning  that  I  was  accosted  by 
a  smiling  man  witli  an  ax  on  his  shoulder. 
"  My  pretty  boy,"  said  he,  ''  has  your  father 
a  grindstone  ?  "  "  Yes,  sir,"  said  I.  "  Yon 
are  a  fine  little  fellow,"  said  he.  "  Will  yon 
let  me  grind  my  ax  on  it  ?  "  Pleased  with  the 
compliment  of  "  fine  little  fellow,"  ''  Oh,  yes, 
sir,"  I  answered ;   "  it  is  down  in  the  shop." 

"  And  will  yon,  my  man,"  said  he,  patting 
me  on  the  head,  "  get  me  a  little  hot  water  1 " 
How  could  I  refuse  I  T  ran  and  soon  brouo-ht 
it.  "  How  old  are  you,  and  what's  your 
name  ? "  contiimed  he,  Avithout  waiting  for 
a  reply ;  "  I  am  sure  you  are  one  of  the  finest 
boys  I  have  ever  seen.  Will  you>  just  turn 
a  few  minutes  for  me  ?  " 

Pleased  with  the  flattery,  I  went  to  work, 
and  bitterly  did  I  rue  the  day.  It  was  a  new 
ax,  and  I  toiled  and  tugged  till  I  was  almost 
tired  to  death.     The  school  bell  rauo^  and  I 


FOR   NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  163 

could  not  get  awav ;  my  hands  were  l)listered 
and  the  ax  was  not  half  oTOund. 

At  length,  liowever,  it  Avas  sharpened,  and 
the  man  turned  to  me  with,  "  Now,  you  little 
rascal,  you'ye  })layed  truant ;  run  to  school  or 
you'll  rue  it."  '^  Alas,"  thouo-ht  I,  ''it  was 
hard  enougli  to  turn  a  o-rindstone  this  cold 
day,  but  now  to  be  called  a  little  rascal  is 
too  much." 

It  sank  in  my  mind  and  often  haye  I 
thouo-ht  of  it  since.  AVhen  I  see  a  merchant 
oyerpolite  to  his  customers,  begging  them  to 
take  a  little  l)randy,  and  throwing  his  goods 
on  the  counter,  1  think,  ''  That  man  has  an  ax 
to  grind." 

When  I  see  a  man  flattering  the  people, 
making  great  })rofessions  of  attachment  to 
liberty,  but  in  ])riyate  life  a  tyrant,  I  think, 
''Look  out,  good  people,  that  fellow  would 
set  you  turning  grindstones." 

When  I  see  a  man  lifted  into  office  by 
party  spirit,  without  one  qualihcation  to  ren- 
der him  either  respectable  or  useful,  "  Alas,"  I 


164  A   FIRST   READER 

think,  "  deluded  people,  you  are  doomed  for 
a  season  to  turn  the  grmdstone  for  a  booby." 

—  Benjamin  Fp.anklin.     . 


THOMAS   JEFFERSON 

Thomas  Jefferson  was  an  American  states- 
man. He  wrote  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence, one  of  the  most  famous  state  papers  in 
the  world.  He  was  the  third  President  of  the 
United  States. 

SEVEN   WISE   RULES   OF  JEFFERSON 

Never  put  off  until  to-morrow  what  you  can 
do  to-day. 

Never  trouble  another  for  what  you  can  do 
yourself. 

Never  spend  your  money  before  you  have 
earned  it. 

Never  buy  what  you  don't  want  because  it 
is  cheap. 

Pride  costs  more  than  hunger,  thirst,  and 
cold. 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  165 

We  repent  seldom  of  liaving  eaten  too  little. 
When  angrv,  count  ten  before  you  speak ; 
if  very  angry,  count  a  hundred. 


FREEDOM 

Is  true  Freedom  hut  to  break 

Fetters  for  our  own  dear  sake, 

And,  with  leathern  hearts,  forget 

That  we  owe  mankind  a  debt  ? 

No  !  true  Freedom  is  to  share 

All  the  chains  our  brothers  wear, 

And,  with  heart  and  hand,  to  be 

Earnest  to  make  others  free. 

They  are  slaves  who  fear  to  speak 

For  the  fallen  and  the  weak ; 

They  are  slaves  who  will  not  choose 

Hatred,  scoffing,  and  abuse, 

Eather  than  in  silence  shrink 

From  the  truth  they  needs  must  think. 

They  are  slaves  who  dare  not  be 

In  the  rio'ht  with  tAVO  or  three. 

—  James  Russell  Lowell 


166 


A  FIRST  READER 


^:*  "N^l 


'-  ~  •vv"->L'-'v'  -•■"■' -r^  ^'^'^ 

5rs  i 


LlI^lSJJHHtll. i....- SZ. :.l 

THE   FIRST   SNOWFALL 

Tlie  siiOAY  had  Ijeo'un  in  the  gloaming 
And  busily  all  the  night 
Had  been  heaping  field  and  highway 
With  a  silence  deep  and  white. 

Every  pine  and  fir  and  liemlock 
AVore  ermine  too  dear  for  an  earl, 
And  the  poorest  twig  on  the  elm  tree 
Was  ridged  inch-deep  with  pearl. 

From  sheds  new-roofed  with  Carrara 
Came  Chanticleer's  muffled  crow  ; 
The  stiflf  rails  were  softened  to  swan's-down, 
And  still  fluttered  down  the  snow. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  167 

I  stood  and  watched  by  the  window 
The  noiseless  word  of  the  sky, 
iVnd  the  sudden  flurries  of  snowbirds, 
Like  brown  leaves  whirling  by. 

I  thouo-ht  of  a  mound  in  sweet  Auburn 
Where  a  little  headstone  stood,  — 
How  the  flakes  were  folding-  it  gently 
As  did  robins  the  bal)es  in  the  wood. 

Up  spoke  our  own  little  ^label. 
Saying,  "  Father,  who  makes  it  snow  ?  " 
And  I  told  of  the  good  All-father 
Who  cares  for  us  here  below. 

Again  I  looked  at  the  snowfall. 
And  thought  of  the  leaden  sky, 
That  arched  o'er  our  first  great  sorrow, 
When  that  mound  was  heaped  so  high. 

I  remembered  the  gradual  patience 
That  fell  from  that  cloud  like  snow, 
Flake  by  flake,  healing  and  hiding 
The  scar  that  renewed  our  woe. 


168  A  FIRST  READER 

And  again  to  the  child  I  whispered, 
*'  The  snow  that  hnsheth  all, 
Darling,  the  merciful  Father 
Alone  can  make  it  fall." 

Then,  with  eyes  that  saw  not,  I  kissed  her ; 
And  she,  kissing  back,  could  not  know 
That  my  kiss  was  given  to  her  sister. 
Folded  close  under  deepening  snow. 

—  James  Russell  Lowell. 


THERE'S   NOTHING   LIKE   THE   ROSE 

The  lily  has  an  air. 
And  the  snowdrop  a  grace. 
And  the  sweet  pea  a  way. 
And  the  heartsease  a  face,  — 
Yet  there's  nothing  like  the  rose 

When  she  blows. 

—  Christina  Rossetti. 

They  are  never  alone  who  are  accompanied 

by  noble  thoughts. 

—  Sir  Philip  Sidney. 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN    CITIZENS  169 

THE    LITTLE    BROTHER 

Among  the  beautiful  })ictiu'es 

That  halm*  on  ^leniorv's  wall 

Is  one  of  a  dim  old  forest, 

That  seemeth  the  best  of  all ; 

Not  for  its  g-iiarled  oaks  olden, 

Dark  with  the  mistletoe ; 

Not  for  the  violets  golden, 

That  sprinkle  the  vale  below ; 

Not  for  milk-white  lilies, 

Tliat  lean  from  the  fragrant  ledge, 

Coquetting  all  day  with  the  sunljeams. 

And  stealing  then*  golden  edge  ; 

Not  for  the  vines  on  the  U})land, 

Where  the  bright  red  berries  rest ; 

Nor  the  pinks,  nor  the  pale,  sweet  cowslip. 

It  seemeth  to  me  the  best. 

I  once  had  a  little  brother 

AVith  eyes  that  were  dark  and  deep ;  — 

In  the  lap  of  that  olden  forest 

He  lieth  in  peace  asleep  ; 

Light  as  the  down  of  the  thistle. 


170  A  FIRST   READER 

Free  as  the  winds  that  blow, 

We  roved  there  the  beautiful  summers, 

The  summers  of  long  ago  ; 

But  his  feet  on  the  hills  grew  weary, 

And  one  of  the  autumn  eves 

T  made  for  my  little  brother 

A  bed  of  the  yellow  leaves. 

Sweetly  his  pale  arms  folded 

My  neck  in  a  meek  embrace, 

xVs  the  light  of  immortal  beauty 

Silently  covered  his  face ; 

And  when  the  arrows  of  sunset 

Lodged  in  the  tree  tops  bright, 

He  fell,  in  his  saintlike  beauty, 

Asleep  by  the  gates  of  light. 

Therefore,  of  all  the  pictures 

That  hang  on  Memory's  wall, 

The  one  of  the  dim  old  forest 

Seemeth  the  best  of  all. 

—  Alice  Gary. 

It   is   well   to   think    well ;    it   is   divine   to 

act  well. 

—  Horace  Mann. 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  171 


THE  TOWN    MUSICIANS 

A  certain  man  had  a  donkey  that  had 
carried  the  corn  sacks  to  the  mill  day  by  day 
for  many  long  years.  But  now  the  donkey's 
strength  ^^'as  failing  g-^^y^z-r^i'/, ,, 

and   he    could    not  ^^<^  '  .-*-     '-'■ 

work  any  more.        ,     "'     WH'       ^     ij^./ 

Then  his  master 


began  to  think  how  i?  j^ 
he    mio4it    iret    rid    ^  is ', 


of  feeding   his  old 

servant.      r)ut    the 

donkey  learned   of 

this  and  said,  "  I  will  run  away."     So  he  took 

the  road  to  Bremen. 

''  There,"  he  thought,  "  T  can  surely  be 
town  nmsician."  When  he  had  walked  some 
distance,  he  saw  a  dog  lying  in  tlie  road  and 
gasping  as  if  he  had  run  till  he  was  very 
tired. 

"  Why  do  you  lie  tliere  gasping  so,  my 
friend?  "  asked  the  donkev. 


172  A   FIRST   READER 

"  Oh,"  replied  the  dog-,  "  1  am  old,  and  each 
day  I  am  growing  weaker;  1  can  hunt  no 
longer,  and  my  master  says  that  I  must  be 
killed.  iSo  I  ran  away.  But  now  how  am  I 
to  earn  my  bread  I  " 

"  I'll  tell  you,"  said  the  donkey,  "  I  am 
going  to  Bremen,  to  be  town  musician  there. 
Will  you  go  with  me  i  I  will  play  tlie  lute 
and  you  shall  beat  the  kettledrum." 

"  Very  well,"  said  the  dog,  and  on  they 
went.  Before  long  they  came  to  a  cat  sitting 
in  the  path.  Slie  had  a  face  as  dark  as  three 
rainy  days.  "  Now  then,  old  cat,  Avhat  has 
gone  wrong  with  you  ?  "  asked  the  donkey. 

"  Who  can  be  merry  when  liis  neck  is  in 
danger^"  replied  the  cat.  "Because  I  am 
now  growing  old,  and  because  I  like  to  sit  by 
the  fire  rather  than  hunt  al)Out  for  mice,  my 
mistress  says  she  will  drown  me.  And  so  I 
ran  away  as  fast  as  I  could.  But  now,  where 
am  T  to  go  ^  " 

"  Go  with  me  to  Bremen.  You  understand 
night  music  ;  so  you  can  l)e  a  street  musician." 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS 


173 


"  With  all  my  lieart,"  said  the  cat,  and  she 
went  on  with  them.  After  this  the  three 
friends  came  to  a  iarmyard.  t)n  the  gate 
stood  a  rooster,  crowing  with  all  his  might. 
''  Why  are  yon  screaming  so  'I  What  is  the 
matter  ?  "  said  the  donkey. 

*'  I  will  tell  yon,"  said  the  rooster.     "  Visi- 


tors are  coming  for  Sunday,  and  my  mistress 
has  told  the  cook  that  she  intends  to  make 
soup  of  me  to-morrow ;  and  this  evening  I 
expect  to  lose  my  head.  So  I  am  crowing 
now,  while  I  can,  and  I  shall  crow  as  loud  as 
I  can." 

"  Listen,    Red-Comb,"     said     the     donkey. 
"  Would  you  like  to  run  away  with  us  ?     We 


174  A   FIRST   READER 

are  going  to  Bremen.  You  have  a  good  voice, 
and  if  we  make  music  together,  it  nuist  be 
fine." 

The  rooster  agreed  to  this  plan  and  said, 
'^  Thank  you,  I  will  go."  And  then  the  four 
friends  went  oti'  together. 

THE   TOWX    MUSICIANS    (Cotifinued) 

The  four  friends  could  not  reach  Bremen  in 
one  day,  and  in  the  evening  they  came  to  a 
forest,  and  they  decided  to  spend  the  night 
there. 

The  donkey  and  the  dog  laid  themselves 
down  under  a  large  tree ;  the  cat  and  the 
rooster  went  to  the  top  of  the  tree,  where 
they  felt  (fuite  safe. 

Before  tlie  rooster  went  to  sleep,  he  looked 
around  on  all  sides.  He  thought  he  saw  in 
the  distance  a  light  burning,  and,  calling  to 
the  others,  he  told  them  he  thought  there 
must  be  a  house  near  l)y,  for  he  saw  a  light. 

''  Then,"  said  tlie  donkey,  "  we  must  go  on 
to    that   light,   for  the   shelter  here  is  bad." 


FOR   NEW   A^ilERICAX    CITIZENS  175 

The  dog  thought  that  a  few  bones  with  meat 
on  them  would  do  him  good,  too.  So  they 
made  their  way  to  the  phice  where  the  light 
was  :  and  it  o-rew  larg;er  and  shone  brio-hter 
as  they  came  nearer ;  and  they  soon  saw  that 
it  came  from  the  window  of  a  robber's  house. 
The  donkey,  who  was  the  tallest,  went  near 
and  looked  in. 

"  What  do  you  see,  my  gray  horse  ?  "  asked 
the  rooster. 

"  AAliat  do  I  see  ?  "  said  the  donkey. 
'*  Whv,  a  table,  with  o-ood  thino-s  to  eat  and 
drink,  and  robbers  sitting  there  enjoying 
tliemselves." 

"  That  would  be  a  fine  thing  for  us,"  said 
the  rooster. 

''  Yes,  yes.  Ah,  how  I  wish  we  were  in 
there,"  said  the  donkey. 

Then  the  four  friends  said,  "  How  can  we 
drive  these  robbers  away  I  "  xVt  last  they 
thought'  of  a  good  plan. 

The  donkey  was  to  stand  under  the  win- 
dow, and  the  dog  was  to  jump  on  the  don- 


176 


A   FIRST   READER 


key's  back.     Then  the  cat  was  to  climb  up  on 


the  dog,  and  above  them  all  the  rooster  was 
to  Hy  and  perch  on  the  cat's  back. 


FOE   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  177 

When  tins  liad  been  done,  at  a  given  sig- 
nal they  be^'an  their  music  togrether.  The 
donkey  brayed,  the  dog  barked,  the  cat 
mewed,  and  the  rooster  crowed.  Then  they 
burst  through  the  window  into  the  room,  so 
that  the  broken  glass  clattered. 

At  this  horrible  noise,  the  frightened  rob- 
bers sprang  up  and  fled  in  great  terror  into 
the  forest. 

The  four  comrades  then  rushed  in  and  sat 
down  at  the  tal  )le,  and  they  ate  as  if  they  had 
eaten  nothing  for  more  tlian  a  month. 

AVhen  the  four  musicians  had  eaten  their 
supper,  they  put  out  the  light,  and  each  found 
a  sleeping  place  to  suit  him. 

The  donkey  laid  himself  down  on  some 
straw  in  the  yard ;  the  dog  stretched  himself 
behind  the  door;  the  cat  curled  up  by  the 
ashes  on  the  hearth  ;  and  the  rooster  perched 
himself  upon  a  beam  of  the  roof.  Being  tired, 
they  were  soon  fast  asleep. 

About  midnight  the  robbers  saw,  from  far 
away,  that  the  lio-ht  was  not  burning-  in  their 


178  A  FIRST  READER 

house,  and  that  all  was  quiet.  Then  the  cap- 
tain said,  ^'  I  do  not  think  there  is  any  cause 
for  fear,  after  all." 

So  he  sent  one  of  his  men  back  to  the 
house.  The  man,  finding  everything  quiet, 
went  into  the  kitchen  to  light  a  candle ;  and 
seeing  the  fiery  eyes  of  the  cat,  he  thought 
they  were  live  coals,  and  he  held  a  match  to 
them  to  light  it. 

But  the  cat  flew  at  him.  She  spit  at  him 
and  scratched  his  face. 

This  frightened  the  man  so  terribly  that  he 
rushed  to  the  door.  But  the  dog  was  lying 
there,  and  he  sprang  at  the  man  and  bit  his 
leg.  Then  the  man  ran  out  across  the  yard ; 
but  the  donkey  gave  him  a  kick  with  his  hind 
foot.  The  rooster,  wakened  by  the  noise, 
cried  out  loudly,  *'  Cock-a-doodle-doo."  Then 
the  robber  ran  back  as  fast  as  he  could  to  his 
captain. 

"  Ah  me !  "  he  said  ;  ''  there  is  a  horrible 
old  witch  in  that  house.  She  flew  at  me  and 
scratched  my  face  with  her  long  fingers.     By 


FOR   NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  179 

the  door  stands  a  man  witli  a  knife.  He 
stabbed  me  in  tlie  leg.  In  the  yard  there  hes 
a  great  black  monster.  He  struck  me  a  heavy 
blow  with  a  wooden  club.  And  above,  on 
the  roof,  sits  the  judge.  He  cried  out,  '  Bring 
the  rogue  to  me.'  Upon  hearing  this,  I  ran 
off  as  fast  as  I  could." 

When  the  rol^bers  had  heard  this  dreadful 
tale,  they  said,  ''  We  will  not  go  to  that  house 
again."  And  they  escaped  from  the  place  the 
next  day. 

But    the    four   musicians    found   the   house 

to    he    such    a    good    liome    for    them,    that 

they  decided  not  to  leave  it.      So  there  they 

stayed. 

—  Jacob   and  Wilhelm   Grimm. 


He  prayeth  best  who  loveth  best, 
All  things  both  great  and  small, 

For  the  dear  Lord  who  loveth  us. 
He  made  and  loveth  all. 

—  Coleridge. 


180  A   FIRST   READER 

THE    LADDER   OF   SAINT    AUGUSTINE 

Saint  Augustine!  well  hast  thou  said 
That  of  our  vices  we  can  frame 

A  ladder,  if  we  will  but  tread 

Beneath  our  feet  each  deed  of  shame! 

All  common  things,  each  day's  events. 
That  with  the  hour  begin  and  end. 

Our  pleasures  and  our  discontents. 

Are  rounds  by  which  we  may  ascend. 

The  low  desire,  the  base  design. 
That  makes  another's  virtues  less ; 

The  revel  of  the  ruddy  wine, 
And  all  occasions  of  excess  ; 

The  longing  for  ignoble  things ; 

The  strife  for  triumph  more  than  truth ; 
Tlie  hardening  of  the  heart,  tliat  brings 

Irreverence  for  the  dreams  of  youth ; 

All  thoughts  of  ill;    all  evil  deeds, 

That  have  their  root  in  tlioughts  of  ill; 

Whatever  hinders  or  im})edes 

The  action  of  the  nobler  will;  — 


FOR   NEW   AMEKiCAN    CITIZENS  181 

All  these  must  first  be  trampled  clown 
Beneath  our  feet,  if  we  Avould  a^ain 

In  the  l^right  fields  of  fair  renown 
The  rig'ht  of  eminent  domain. 

We  have  not  wing\s,  we  cannot  soar ; 

But  we  have  feet  to  scale  and  climb 
By  slow  degTces,  by  more  and  more, 

The  cloudy  summits  of  our  time. 

The  mighty  pyramids  of  stone 

That  wedgelike  cleave  the  desert  airs, 

When  nearer  seen,  and  l)etter  known, 
Are  but  gigantic  flights  of  stairs. 

The  distant  mountains  that  uprear 
Their  solid  bastions  to  the  skies. 

Are  crossed  l)y  pathways  that  appear 
As  we  to  higher  Ica  els  rise. 


fci" 


The  heights  by  great  men  reached  and  kept 
Were  not  attained  by  sudden  flight ; 

But  they,  while  their  companions  slept. 
Were  toiling  upward  in  the  night. 


182  A  FIRST   READER 

Standino;  on  what  too  loiip;  we  bore 

With  shouklers  bent  and  downcast  eyes, 

We  may  discern  —  unseen  before  — 
A  path  to  higher  destinies. 

Nor  deem  the  irrevocable  Past 
As  wholly  Avasted,  wholly  vain, 

If,  rising  on  its  wrecks,  at  last 
To  something  nobler  we  attain. 


THE    DAFFODILS 

I  wander'd  lonely  as  a  cloud 

That  floats  on  high  o'er  vales  and  hills, 
When  all  at  once  I  saw  a  crowd, 

A  host  of  golden  daffodils. 
Beside  the  lake,  beneath  the  trees. 
Fluttering  and  dancing  in  the  breeze. 

Continuous  as  the  stars  that  shine 
And  twinkle  on  the  milky- way. 

They  stretch'd  in  never-ending  line 
Along  the  margin  of  a  bay  : 


FOR  NEW  AMERICAN   CITIZENS  183 

Ten  thousand  saAv  T  at  a  glance, 
Tossing  their  heads  in  sprightly  dance. 

The  waves  beside  them  danced,  but  they 
Outdid  the  sparkling  waves  in  glee  — 

A  poet  could  not  be  but  gay 
In  such  a  jocund  company! 

I  gazed  and  gazed,  but  little  thought 

What  wealth  the  show  to  me  had  brouHit. 

For  oft,  when  on  my  couch  I  lie 

In  vacant  or  in  pensive  mood, 
They  flash  upon  that  inward  eye. 

Which  is  the  bliss  of  solitude  ; 
And  then  my  heart  witli  pleasure  fills, 
And  dances  with  the  dafl:bdils. 

—  William  Wordsworth. 

THE   RAINY   DAY 

The  day  is  cold,  and  dark,  and  dreary ; 
It  rains,  and  the  wind  is  never  weary ; 
The  vine  still  clings  to  the  moldering  wall. 
But  at  every  gust  the  dead  leaves  fall. 
And  the  day  is  dark  and  dreary. 


184  A    FIRST   READER 

My  life  is  cold,  and  dark,  and  dreary ; 
It  rains,  and  the  wind  is  never  weary ; 
My  thoughts  still  cling  to  the  moldering  Past, 
But  the  hopes  of  youth  fall  thick  in  the  blast. 
And  the  days  are  dark  and  dreary. 

Be  still,  sad  heart !  and  cease  repining ; 
Behind  the  clouds  is  the  sun  still  shining ; 
Thy  fate  is  the  common  fate  of  all, 
Into  each  life  some  rain  must  fnW, 
Some  days  must  be  dark  and  dreary. 

—  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow. 


LUCY   GRAY 

Oft  had  I  heard  of  Lucy  Gray ; 

And  when  I  crossed  the  wild, 
I  chanced  to  see  at  break  of  day 

The  solitary  Child. 

No  mate,  no  comrade,  Lucy  knew ; 

She  dwelt  on  a  wide  moor,  — 
The  sweetest  thing  that  ever  grew 

Beside  a  cottage  door ! 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  18i 

You  yet  may  spy  the  fawn  at  i)lay, 

The  hare  upon  the  green ; 
But  the  sAveet  face  of  Lucy  dray 

Will  never  more  be  seen. 

"  To-nio-ht  will  be  a  stormv  ni^'lit  — 

You  to  the  town  must  go ; 
And  take  a  lantern,  child,  to  light 

Your  mother  through  the  snow." 

"  That,  father,  will  I  gladly  do ; 

'Tis  scarcely  afternoon  — 
The  minster  clock  has  just  struck  two, 

And  yonder  is  the  moon." 

At  this  the  father  raised  liis  liook. 

And  snapped  a  fagot  band ; 
He  plied  his  work  —  and  Lucy  took 

The  lantern  in  her  hand. 

Not  blither  is  the  mountain  roe : 

With  many  a  wanton  stroke 
Her  feet  disperse  the  powdery  snow, 

That  rises  up  like  smoke. 


186  A  FIRST   READER 

The  storm  came  on  before  its  time : 

She  \Yandered  up  and  down ; 
And  many  a  hill  did  Lncy  climb, 

But  never  reached  the  town. 

The  wretched  parents  all  that  night 

Went  shouting  far  and  wide ; 
But  there  was  neither  sound  nor  sight 

To  serve  them  for  a  guide. 

At  daybreak  on  a  hill  they  stood 

That  overlooked  the  moor ; 
And  thence  they  saw  the  bridge  of  wood, 

A  furlong  from  their  door. 

They  wept  —  and  turning  homeward  cried, • 
"  In  Heaven  we  all  shall  meet !  " 

When  in  the  snow  the  mother  spied 
The  print  of  Lucy's  feet. 

Half  breathless,  from  the  steep  hill's  edge, 
They  tracked  the  footmarks  small ; 

And  through  the  broken  hawthorn  hedge. 
And  by  the  long  stone  wall ; 


FOR  NEW   AMERICAN   CITIZENS  187 

And  then  an  open  field  they  crossed  — 
The  marks  were  still  the  same ; 

They  tracked  them  on,  nor  ever  lost, 
And  to  the  bridge  they  came. 

Thev  followed  from  the  snowy  bank 

Those  footmarks,  one  by  one. 
Into  the  middle  of  the  plank  — 

And  further  there  Avere  none! 

Yet  some  maintain  that  to  this  day 

She  is  a  living  child ; 
That  yon  may  see  SAveet  Lncy  Gray 

Upon  the  lonesome  wild. 

O'er  rough  and  smooth  she  trips  along 

And  never  looks  behind ; 
And  sings  a  solitary  song 

That  whistles  in  the  wind. 

—  William  Wordsworth. 


If  you  would  live  with  ease, 
Do  what  you  ought,  not  what  you  please. 

—  Franklin, 


188  A  FIEST   KEADER 

CHANNING'S    SYMPHONY 

To  live  content  with  small  means ;  to  seek 
elegance  rather  than  hixniy  ;  and  refinement 
rather  than  fashion ;  to  be  worthy,  not  re- 
spectable ;  and  wealthy,  not  rich ;  to  study 
hard,  think  quietly,  talk  gently,  act  frankly ; 
to  listen  to  stars  and  birds,  to  babes  and 
sages,  Avitli  open  heart ;  to  bear  all  cheerfully, 
do  all  l)ravely,  await  occasion,  hurry  never; 
in  a  word,  to  let  the  spiritual,  unl:)idden  and 
unconscious,  grow  up  through  the   common. 

This  is  to  be  my  symphony. 

—  W.  H.  Channing. 

Ill  habits  gather  by  unseen  degrees, 
As  brooks  make  rivers,  rivers  run  to  seas. 

— John  Dryden. 


Ignorance  is  the  curse  of  God, 

KnoAvledge,   the    wing    wherewith   w^e   fly   to 

heaven. 

— Shakespeare. 


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Improved  size  and  shape,  y%  by  9j<  inches.  Easily  handled  and 
more  durable. 

Home  Geography  is  made  prominent,  thus  proceeding  from  the 
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Causal  sequence  instead  of  a  bare  recital  of  unrelated  facts. 

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LEADING  FEATURES 

I  Teachers  agree  as  to  the  value  of  good  literature  as  the  basis  of  the  Eng- 
lish work.  But  the  classics  are  often  either  not  related  at  all  to  the  work  in 
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leading  place. 

In  the  fifth  book,  the  great  myths  of  the  world,  the  hero-stories  of  the 
nations,  are  retold. 

In  the  sixth  book,  a  selection  of  stories,  poems,  and  essays  serves  as  an 
introduction  to  general  literature. 

3.  The  standards  of  good  literature  and  the  interests  of  the  normal  child 
have  been  kept  in  mind. 

Great  care  has  been  taken  that  the  books  shall  be  good  readers,  independent 
of  the  language  work  introduced. 

The  language  work  has  been  so  handled  as  not  to  make  it  obtrusive  in 
appearance  or  impertinent  in  comment. 

4.  In  grading  the  reading  and  language  work,  the  editors  have  had  the  as- 
sistance of  able  and  experienced  teachers  from  both  public  and  private  schools. 

5.  Illustrations  have  been  freely  used. 

Color  work — by  the  newer  processes  —  adds  special  charm  to  the  five  lower 
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The  Modern  English  Course 

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BOOK  II  — A  PRACTICAL  ENGLISH  GRAMMAR 

Cloth,   i2mo,  xiv  +  400  pages,  60  cents  net 

These  books  aim  to  give  the  young  — 

(i)  Ability  to  ex^jress  their  own  thoughts  and  to  understand  the  thoughts  of 
others. 

(2)  Clear  insight  into  the  structure  of  the  English  sentence, 

(3)  Effectiveness  in  the  use  of  language. 

(4)  Appreciation  of  its  higher  uses  in  literature. 

The  illustrative  sentences  in  both  books  have  been  selected  with  great  care" 
from  standard  literature,  and  they  are  valuable  in  themselves  for  the  informa- 
tion or  the  suggestive  thought  they  contain. 

The  definitions  are  short,  clear,  concise,  and  within  the  comprehension  of  the 
pupils.  As  far  as  definitions  are  given  in  Book  I  they  are  identical  with 
Book  II.  In  general  the  two  books  are  consistent ;  there  are  no  contradictions  ; 
they  are  harmonious  in  aim,  in  method,  in  explanation,  and  in  definition. 

In  the  Modern  English  Course  the  study  of  grammar  is  not  neglected  and 
much  attention  is  given  to  composition.  In  both  grammar  and  composition, 
the  aim  has  been  to  create  on  the  part  of  the  pupils  a  better  appreciation  of 
what  they  read,  a  larger  power  of  connected  thinking,  and  greater  facility  in 
expressing  their  thoughts. 

The  study  of  grammar  is  made  a  real  help  in  oral  and  written  composition, 
(i)  The  explanations  are  simple,  lucid,  and  easily  understood. 

(2)  The  definitions  are  short,  clear,  concise,  and  within  the  comprehension 
of  the  pupil. 

(3)  The  selections  and  illustrative  sentences  are  taken  from  standard 
literature. 

(4)  The  books  contain  many  exercises  designed  to  correct  common  errors  in 

English. 

(5)  They  aim  to  teach  the  child  to  think,  observe,  and  see  things,  and  with 
the  thinking  to  express  the  thought. 

(6)  They  avoid  the  diffuseness  and  vagueness  of  language  books,  and  yet 
guard  against  a  merely  technical  presentation  of  the  principles  of  grammar. 


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EacJi  volume  12   mo,   cloth. 


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